On Monday, 8 July 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Beijing and the two sides exchanged in-depth views on the Ukraine Crisis. During the talks, Orban reported on his recent visits to Ukraine and Russia, while Xi appreciated Hungary’s efforts to promote a political solution to the Ukraine Crisis. Emphasizing that an early ceasefire and political settlement are in the interests of all parties, Xi added that the priority is to de-escalate the situation following the three principles of not expanding the battlefield, not escalating conflicts, and not inciting war by any side.
Xi called on the international community to create conditions and provide support for the resumption of direct dialogue and negotiations between the two sides. He said only if all major countries inject positive rather than negative energy, a ceasefire in this conflict can be achieved as soon as possible. “China actively promotes peace talks in its own way and encourages and supports all efforts to help resolve the crisis peacefully,” Xi said, adding the basic propositions and direction of China and Hungary’s efforts are the same, and China is willing to keep in touch with Hungary and all relevant parties.
During his successful state visit to Hungary two months ago, Xi emphasised that bilateral relations have been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in all circumstances for a new era, which gives new historical significance to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year and gives a strong impetus to the high-level development of China-Hungary relations.[i]
Congratulating Hungary on assuming the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU), Xi said that there is no geopolitical contradiction or fundamental conflict of interests between China and the EU. Stating that China-EU relations have strategic significance and global influence and should maintain a stable and sound development, Xi called on both sides to jointly respond to global challenges. The Chinese President added that he hopes that Hungary, which holds the rotating EU presidency, would positively promote the sound and stable development of China-EU relations and facilitate constructive interactions.
Orban said that in the face of the current turbulent international situation, China not only loves peace but has also put forward a series of constructive and important initiatives and proved through its concrete actions that China is an important stabilizing force for world peace. Hungary highly appreciates and values China’s role and influence and is willing to maintain close strategic communication and coordination with China, Orban said, adding that Hungary advocates strengthening cooperation with China and opposes the formation of exclusionary cliques and bloc conflicts.[ii]
On 5 July 2024, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a possible Ukrainian peace agreement, but without a clear outcome. Moreover, Orban received criticism from some EU leaders that he was not there on behalf of the EU, and Ukraine said that it had not been consulted beforehand. The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, said that only the unity and determination of the 27-member EU could lead to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. “Appeasement will not stop Putin,” Von Der Leyen said in a statement in X. Putin, who received Orban in the Kremlin, said the talks were useful, but accused Ukraine of not wanting to end the two-and-a-half-year war and said that his ideas on how to end the conflict were the solution, namely that Ukraine should surrender.[iii]
The Belt and Road Initiative plays a major role in the development of cooperation between China and Hungary. In addition, Hungary is in a very important position as it supports China’s connections with European countries. In this context, the Hungary-Serbia Railway Project can be cited as an example, which is also seen as a complement to China’s investments in Greece. Orban’s adoption of the “Eastern Opening” policy creates a balance between China, which has a critical role in forming a multipolar world order, and the West. For this reason, the two countries acting together may offer a solution to end the Russian-Ukrainian War. Although Hungary’s current political-economic cooperation with Russia and China may contradict the EU and US economic-political sanctions against China and Russia, it allows the EU to access the resources it needs.
[i] “Xi Meets Hungarian Prime Minister, Exchanging views on ties, Ukraine Crisis”, Xinhua, https://english.news.cn/20240708/896e207be0954397828c5faf68bb7cab/c.html, (Date of Access: 09.07.2024).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] “Hungary’s Orban Talks Ukraine Peace with Putin, Stirring EU Outcry”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungarys-orban-says-no-position-negotiate-between-ukraine-russia-2024-07-05/, (Date of Access: 09.07.2024).
