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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called for the EU to engage in direct discussions with Russia to negotiate a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine. In a letter to EU Council President António Costa, Orbán expressed his opposition to seeking consensus among the EU’s 27 member states on the issue. This demand comes in light of US President Donald Trump’s decision to initiate bilateral peace talks with Russia, bypassing Ukraine and Europe, as well as his recent criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Orbán’s insistence on blocking any potential agreement within the EU follows the circulation of draft conclusions for an upcoming summit of EU leaders, which includes proposals for increased military support to Ukraine and a boost in defense spending by European nations. Zelenskyy has been invited to attend the summit scheduled for Thursday.
The Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized the strategic differences in approach towards Ukraine that, according to him, cannot be resolved through communication or drafting. His ambassador to the EU reiterated similar sentiments during a meeting of EU envoys in Brussels.
European leaders are set to convene in London for an urgent summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to discuss collective measures to protect Ukraine and enhance defense capabilities, aiming to reduce reliance on the US.
The recent public disagreement between Trump and Zelenskyy has highlighted the shifting stance of the US towards Ukraine, distancing itself from its previous unwavering support for the country against Russia. This growing divide between Washington and its European counterparts was evident in the recent UN Security Council resolution, supported by both the US and Russia, which called for a swift end to the conflict without explicitly addressing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. European nations abstained from voting on the resolution.
Orbán referenced the UN resolution in his letter, suggesting that it marks a new phase in the conflict and renders previous agreements by the European Council obsolete. The evolving dynamics in the region underscore the need for continued dialogue and coordinated efforts to address the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
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