Orbán proposes direct EU negotiations with Putin

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called for the EU to engage in direct negotiations with Russia to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine. In a letter addressed to António Costa, President of the European Council, Orbán expressed his opposition to the EU's current strategy on Ukraine and indicated he would block any joint declarations at the upcoming EU summit in Brussels.

Orbán's stance aligns with US President Donald Trump's recent decision to pursue bilateral peace talks with the Kremlin, bypassing Kyiv and European allies. This move has raised concerns among EU leaders, who fear it could undermine collective efforts to support Ukraine. Orbán, known for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has previously acted as a spoiler in EU initiatives aimed at assisting Kyiv and imposing sanctions on Moscow.

In his letter, Orbán emphasized the "unbridgeable strategic differences" within the EU regarding the approach to Ukraine. He suggested that the bloc should abandon attempts to reach a consensus and instead focus on direct discussions with Russia. This proposal comes ahead of an extraordinary EU summit where leaders plan to discuss additional military support for Ukraine and the acceleration of European defence spending.

Orbán's position has drawn criticism from other EU member states. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, while also advocating for swift peace talks, criticized the EU's "peace through force" strategy. The summit's draft statement excludes negotiations on Ukrainian matters without Kyiv's involvement and emphasizes the necessity of strong security assurances for Ukraine.

The timing of Orbán's proposal is notable, as it follows recent tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over security guarantees and diplomatic approaches to ending the war. Hungary is becoming a Trojan horse for Trump after already serving as one for China and Russia. European leaders are set to discuss further security measures for Ukraine in London this Sunday, with Zelenskyy expected to attend.

Orbán's advocacy for direct EU-Russia talks reflects his longstanding position on the conflict. He has previously argued that Ukraine cannot achieve a battlefield victory against Russia and has emphasized the need for dialogue and a ceasefire to save lives. Hungary, reliant on Russian oil and gas imports and involved in nuclear power projects with Russia, seeks normal economic relations with Russia in areas not under sanctions

As the EU grapples with internal divisions over its approach to the Ukraine conflict, Orbán's proposal adds another layer of complexity to the bloc's foreign policy strategy. The upcoming summit will test the EU's ability to maintain unity in the face of differing perspectives among its member states.

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