Earlier today, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, continuing his self-styled “peace mission” which has included discussions with both Ukrainian and Russian leaders. This meeting marks Orban’s latest attempt to mediate in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, despite not having the endorsement of the European Commission or Ukraine itself.
Orban’s visit to Beijing comes after his controversial meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which sparked criticism from other European Union leaders. His diplomatic actions underscore his unique stance within the EU, as he often diverges from the collective foreign policy, especially regarding military aid to Ukraine and relations with Russia and China.
During their discussions at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, Xi and Orban focused on the potential for a Ukraine peace deal, advocating for a ceasefire and political negotiations. China, maintaining close relations with Russia, has proposed a six-point peace plan alongside Brazil. This plan suggests an international peace conference that would include equal participation from both Ukraine and Russia, a notion that has seen mixed reception on the global stage.
Orban emphasized that China is “a key power in creating the conditions for peace” concerning the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting the significance of his visit following Xi’s trip to Budapest two months earlier. The Hungarian Prime Minister’s travels come just before a NATO summit in Washington D.C., where further support for Ukraine will be a primary focus.
Amid these diplomatic maneuvers, Hungary faces internal and external pressures due to its economic ties with China. The European Commission recently confirmed imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, a move that contrasts sharply with Hungary’s growing trade and investment partnerships with China. In response, Hungarian and Chinese officials have negotiated agreements to resume pork and poultry exports to China and to continue Chinese investments in Hungary’s electromobility sector, expected to create around 25,000 jobs.
Orban’s diplomatic efforts and Hungary’s economic policies highlight the complex interplay between national interests and broader EU strategies. This dynamic is particularly relevant as Hungary just assumed the EU’s rotating presidency, with Orban’s actions setting a contentious tone for his tenure.
Critics within the EU have expressed concerns that Orban’s meetings, particularly his visit to Moscow, undermine the union’s collective stance on the Ukraine war. European leaders like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have criticized Orban’s approach, emphasizing that appeasement will not resolve the conflict with Putin. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg indicated that Orban would likely brief other NATO leaders on his discussions in Moscow during the upcoming summit in Washington.
Orban’s diplomatic activities reflect his broader political strategy, balancing national interests with his alliances in Russia and China, while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the EU. His actions continue to provoke debate on the EU’s unified front against Russia and raise questions about the potential impacts of his unique diplomatic path on the broader EU-China and EU-Russia relations.
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