Hungarian PM stands against EU consensus on Ukraine, calls for direct talks with Russia

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called on the European Union (EU) to initiate “direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire” in the ongoing war against Ukraine.

Orbán’s demand, made in a letter to EU Council President António Costa on March 1, underscores his growing opposition to efforts aimed at achieving consensus among the EU’s 27 member states regarding Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Orbán, who is known for his pro-Russia stance, also expressed his opposition to any attempt to reach a unified position on Ukraine within the bloc. The Hungarian leader’s letter comes as the EU circulates draft conclusions ahead of an upcoming summit of EU leaders, which includes provisions for additional military support to Ukraine and a significant increase in defense spending across European capitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been invited to attend the summit, scheduled for March 6.

In the letter, Orbán stated, “It has become evident that there are strategic differences in our approach to Ukraine that cannot be bridged by drafting or communication.” This remark highlights the deep divisions between Hungary and other EU member states on the issue of Ukraine. Orbán’s comments were echoed by his ambassador to the EU during a meeting of EU envoys in Brussels on February 28.

The Hungarian Prime Minister’s demand follows a dramatic shift in the United States’ stance on Ukraine, with US President Donald Trump recently deciding to open bilateral peace negotiations with the Kremlin, bypassing Kyiv and Europe. Trump also publicly criticized Zelenskyy during a contentious meeting at the White House on Friday, further straining US-Ukraine relations.

Orbán’s letter also referenced a recent UN Security Council resolution passed with the support of both the US and Russia. The resolution, which called for a “swift end to the conflict” but made no mention of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, further exemplifies the growing rift between the EU and the US. European capitals, in contrast, abstained from voting on the resolution. Orbán wrote, “The [UN] resolution signals a new phase in the history of the conflict and renders all previous agreed language by the European Council irrelevant.”

As EU leaders prepare for their summit, tensions remain high, with Hungary's position continuing to challenge the bloc’s approach to Ukraine and the broader geopolitical situation.

By Vafa Guliyeva