Orbán presents Budapest's 'Peace Plan' to EU leaders

Nation

15 July 2024, 02:21 PM

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán briefed EU leaders on his recent "peacekeeping mission" outcomes and introduced Budapest's "peace plan", PM's Political Director Balazs Orbán said in an interview with Hungarian publication Magyar Nemzet on July 15.

The so-called Peace Plan represents Orban's following his visits to Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing.

"The Prime Minister informed the European Council in writing about the negotiations outcomes, the first phase of the peacekeeping mission, and Hungary's proposals," he said.

"If Europe wants peace and wants to have a decisive say in settling the war and stopping the bloodshed, a change of course must be designed and implemented now."

Ukraine and Russia are very determined to fight, and "without external mediators, unfortunately, we are to witness really rough destruction in the coming months," he said.

"We started negotiations with potential mediators. China and Turkey are committed to peace. Donald Trump is also committed to peace, so should he be re-elected, he himself will achieve peace in no time. On the other hand, the Europeans and the current American administration are voting for the war continuation."

Hungary can play a "serious role in mediation," Balazs Orbán said.

Viktor Orban's "peace" tour

Orbán arrived in Kyiv on July 2 for his first visit to Ukraine since the war with Russia outbreak. He met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and proposed a ceasefire to expedite negotiations with Russia. Ukraine's peace initiatives "take a lot of time" and therefore he asked Zelenskyy to consider "an alternative approach: first ceasefire, then negotiate peace," he claimed.

"Hungary is not the first country to talk about such a scenario," President's Office representative Ihor Zhovkva said in response to this. Zhovkva made it clear that Zelenskyy actually rejected such proposals: he listened to Orban, "but in response he stated his position, which is clear and known to everyone."

Orbán made an unannounced visit to Moscow on July 5.

Russia insists on the Ukrainian Armed Forces withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson oblasts, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Orbán.

Hungary, which has held the European Council rotating presidency since July 1, does not have a mandate to negotiate on behalf of the EU with Russia, the EU Council President, Charles Michel, said.

Orbán visited Beijing and discussed his "peace plan" with Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 8.

Orbán met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Washington on July 10, seeking support for his "peace mission."

Orban met with the US presidential candidate from the Republican Party, Donald Trump, on July 12, and they discussed ways to establish peace.

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