Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's recent diplomatic tour has stirred significant controversy and garnered international attention. Orban, who has been a contentious figure within the European Union, embarked on a "peace mission" that included stops in Moscow, Kiev, and Beijing. His actions have raised eyebrows among EU leaders and Western allies, particularly due to his close ties with the Kremlin.
Orban's visit to Beijing was unexpected and marked the latest stop on his peace mission. Chinese state media reported his arrival in Beijing, where he was greeted by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying. Orban's agenda in China included a meeting with President Xi Jinping, where they discussed Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Orban emphasized China's role as a "key power" in creating conditions for peace.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accompanied Orban on this trip, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Budapest. The Hungarian Foreign Ministry cited an "unforeseen change in Szijjarto's schedule" as the reason for the cancellation. The German Foreign Office expressed disappointment, underscoring the importance of a "serious and honest personal conversation" between the two foreign ministers, especially in light of Orban's uncoordinated visit to Moscow.
China, a close ally of Russia, maintains strong economic and political ties with Moscow. This relationship has led to accusations from Western countries that China supports Russia's defense industry by exporting critical technology and equipment. China's absence from a recent peace conference on the Ukraine war in Switzerland further fueled speculation about its intentions. Beijing cited unmet conditions for its participation and expressed a desire to work on a peace solution independently.
Orban's visit to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was also framed as part of his peace mission. The meeting drew criticism from top EU politicians, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who viewed Orban's actions as a threat to the EU's credibility. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that Orban was acting as Hungary's Prime Minister, not as a representative of EU foreign policy.
The relationship between Hungary and China has been notably strong. Xi Jinping visited Hungary in May, and Orban was one of the few European representatives to attend China's "New Silk Road" forum in October. Hungary's participation in China's global infrastructure projects has further solidified their ties. Orban's recent diplomatic maneuvers underscore his unique position within the EU and his willingness to engage with both Russia and China, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
