Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has embarked on a controversial “peace mission” this week, as he reportedly plans to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump seeking to mediate between Ukraine and Russia.
What Happened: A source close to Orbán said that the Hungarian prime minister is planning to fly to Mar-a-Lago on Thursday to meet with Trump, The Guardian reported. This move comes as Orbán seeks to negotiate a peace deal for the Ukraine conflict without consulting other EU nations or the Biden administration. By contrast, he has effectively shunned Joe Biden at this week's NATO summit and did not request a bilateral meeting with the U.S. president, according to three sources familiar with the summit preparations.
Orbán’s actions have stirred controversy within NATO, with some members questioning his alignment with the alliance’s objectives. He has been quietly seeking to negotiate a settlement to the Ukraine war, keeping an eye on Trump’s potential re-election.
Orbán recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, discussing potential avenues for peace. He is planning to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. This approach contrasts sharply with NATO’s stance, as he advocates for a negotiated settlement rather than continued military support for Ukraine.
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Why It Matters: Orbán’s actions also come at a time when the global community is closely monitoring developments in the Ukraine conflict, highlighting the importance of cohesive strategies.
Additionally, President Joe Biden‘s position on NATO and his potential re-election campaign add layers of complexity to this scenario. Biden took a strong stand at the NATO summit in Washington, emphasizing unity against Russia's aggression in Ukraine and reaffirming America's commitment to the alliance.
Moreover, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also arrived in Washington, D.C., as the NATO summit got underway to seek long-term support for Ukraine in the war against Russia topping the agenda.
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
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