Europe’s ‘odd man out’ Orban calls for Ukraine ceasefire • FRANCE 24 English

Victor Orbin is in ke today for talks with the Ukrainian President Vladimir zalinski the Hungarian prime minister is Vladimir Putin’s closest Ally in the EU and this is his first visit to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale Invasion began over two years ago Orbin is an outspoken critic of Western military aid to Ukraine but his visit also comes one day after Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union Council Ukraine of course is also in the process of asking to join the European Union we’re going to break this all down now with cathan gorgani who joins me on the set kathan first of all uh what can what came out of this meeting I mean there’s so many there’s such a big backstory going into this meeting what came out of it well it seems that uh some switch has been uh turned on when it comes to Victor Orban because uh some of the comments that he made uh after uh their meeting are pretty positive when you think about uh not only the personal relationship and a pretty tense Rel relationship between the two men but also uh the positioning of Hungary within the European Union as you reminded uh that was very much opposed to uh Western help uh to Ukraine to sanctions uh uh to Russia and some of his comments uh said for example that they were trying to overcome previous disagreements and focus on the future that the Hungarian EU presidency would be at Ukraine’s disposal uh even saying that he valued Zin peace initiatives of course there still remain a lot of key disagreements for example the fact that Orban did say that they had discussed uh these uh potential peace plans and that he urged uh Vladimir zalinsky to consider a ceasefire before starting negotiations uh with the Russians which is pretty much a non-starter at least so far for the ukrainians they don’t want to talk about any type of ceasefire until some of uh the elements of a deal are set in stone and then zilinski himself also uh spinning a pretty positive light on these talks saying that discussions could serve as the basis for future bilateral agreements between Ukraine and Hungary and so if you look back just a couple of U weeks ago if you will uh these two countries were very much at odds you saw Victor Orban within the EU for months uh blocking accession talks for the Ukrainian for weeks blocking a a new package of Aid and right now at least in words it looks like there is at least an opening I mean all of this is so surprising starting just with the presence of Victor Orban in Ukraine for the first time since the war started absolutely and that is very much uh to be noted because while he never went to Ukraine since the start of the War uh he did meet with Vladimir Putin several uh times and so his allegiances if you will were uh pretty clear uh but the fact that Hungary has just taken over the EU presidency seems to be one of the reasons for uh this trip and for possibly his new uh positioning because he is seen as the odd man out in the European uh Union and uh the fact is that he is in a way isolated within the European Union and he did say that as uh the leader ship started for uh Hungary that he would be an honest broker within the European Union and so maybe this is a gesture of uh open-mindedness when it comes to Ukraine to sort of cast himself as uh someone a partner within the European Union that can be depended on uh the question is what is happening behind the scenes whether it’s in Ukraine or within the European Union that has pushed Victor Orban uh to sort of uh make that turn not a U-turn but a little bit of a pivot uh when it comes uh to to Ukraine and maybe wanting to not be the sort of par might be a strong word but this odd man out within the European uh Union uh and the question is does this show the start of a different type of leadership for uh the for Hungary within the European Union or is this just for show to KI things off and get a little bit of Goodwill from the Europeans as they start off the six months presidency

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged Kyiv on Tuesday to work towards a “quick ceasefire” in Ukraine that could pave the way for negotiations with Russia to end more than two years of war. Orban issued the appeal standing next to President Volodymyr Zelensky during a surprise visit to Ukraine, the first by the vocal critic of Western support for Kyiv. France 24’s Kethevane Gorjestani tells us more.
#Ukraine #Orban #Zelensky

🔔 Subscribe to France 24 now: https://f24.my/YTen
🔴 LIVE – Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: https://f24.my/YTliveEN

🌍 Read the latest International News and Top Stories: https://www.france24.com/en/

Like us on Facebook: https://f24.my/FBen
Follow us on X (Twitter): https://f24.my/Xen
Browse the news in pictures on Instagram: https://f24.my/IGen
Discover our TikTok videos: https://f24.my/TKen
Get the latest top stories on Telegram: https://f24.my/TGen

37 comments

  4. Zelensky must take orban ceasefire before Zelensky loose one million Ukrainian soldiers 800,000 already killed

  6. Now calling for peace is somehow wrong!

    The Us occupied EU has lost its mind…

    But times are changing! Only a small western elite wants this war! And they are leaving soon!

  9. It is absolutely clear, since Orban has been saying since the beginning of the war that Hungary will only support Ukraine if the rights of the Hungarian people, living in Ukraine are restored. Now that Zelensky is open to returning the rights of Hungarians living in Ukraine, Orban is also opening up to Zelensky. It is that simple.. The analysis lady knows nothing..

  11. 1:54 She is contradicting herself.
    In my opinion, a ceasefire would be a deal too, but if you are not interested in the first place, then that says a lot about your real intentions.

  16. The EU has always been democratic & decides based on "consensus". Ceasefire in the terms of EU shall never include the surrender of Russian occupied territories in Ukraine. Otherwise those Russian annexations & that gunpoint referendum introduced by Putin on areas outside of his jurisdictions would never end.

  18. In January, Trump is going to end backing for Ukraine. As far right gets in power in Europe, European aid will dry up. Putin doesn't have to negotiate then, he can take everything because Ukraine will run out of bullets. This is his last chance for peace and he will be forced to give territory. Everyone knows this except the people who don't know what's really going on.

  21. Ketevan is a spinner…she learns quickly from her masters….a bit of a truth mixed with wishful thinking and deliberate vague statements. She is an "expert". next she will be promoter by the masters to CNN.

  23. A shift to the right in the EU elections results in no significant changes, and the thumb screw on Orban has tightened. Unfortunately, Fico is not strong enough physically to join the fight a give his support.

  28. Russia ISN'T GIVING SH!T BACK. GET A GRIP. Ukraine didn't exist as an independent nation until the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. in 1991. It has NO LEGITIMACY. NONE. Love from the U.S.A. 🇺🇸

  30. Well orban is Putin Trojan horse in eu!!!
    Would you expect anything else???
    He should call Putin to withdraw from occupied territory according Budapest agreements!!!
    Dose he know history what was happening in country that he leads and in place that he sits!!!
    Until thugs will run nations until that time you will have mess in western society!!!
    Western society was created by gentlemen with values of gentlemen and ladies values nowadays you have thugs and courtesan!!!
    It’s time for changes and balance to keep disease spreading!!!
    EU calling for Russia withdrawal from occupied territories so orban must do for the interests of EU not Russia!!!

  31. Hes ppl elected him to make peace. he do what the ppl who voted we want peace in ukraine and all around that bs we friends with russia is disgrace. We are been occupied bye russia over 50 years they arrested killed tortured over 100k hungarians in 56 when the west leave us bleed out.in our freedom fight. now you guys want to tell us what we do? countrys whos never ever been war with Russia. Stop killing ppl for mongers.

  33. Orban is getting the attention he needs for his ego, so he doesn't have to seek negative attention at the moment.

  35. I do not want to say a bad word about Orban. If I were Zelenskyy I will tell him that Ucrainean people died because of his politics and I will sent him out of the room.

  37. If you criticize Orbán on his opinion on peace talks, probably many of you would happily go to the frontlines or send your men. Peace will save lives of those who did not make decisions on war. I love how some like to do karate with their tongues 🥵

Leave a Reply