Trump has consulted Hungary's Orban on Ukraine war, sources tell RFE/RL

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly held multiple phone conversations with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban since Nov. 5, sources speaking to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Hungarian Service acknowledged.

Hungarian government insiders revealed that Trump sought Orban’s opinion on strategies to end the Ukraine war.

During his campaign, Trump criticized the billions of dollars the U.S. has allocated to Ukraine and claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of returning to the White House. Observers interpret his remarks as implying that Ukraine might need to cede territory currently under Russian control.

Orban, known for his close ties with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump, has openly criticized EU aid for Ukraine and obstructed sanctions against Moscow.

Reports indicate Orban is preparing for a second peace mission in December, which aims to conclude Hungary’s rotating EU presidency.

In July, he initiated his first mission with a trip to Kyiv carrying a cease-fire proposal for President Volodymyr Zelensky, followed by a controversial meeting with Putin in Moscow. Orban later traveled to China and then the U.S. to meet Trump while he was campaigning.

Sources noted to RFE/RL that the December peace mission may involve Orban delivering messages from Trump to Zelensky, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, the specific details of the plan remain unclear.

Orban’s hold on Hungary weakens as opposition unites behind unlikely challenger

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Nov. 7, looked confident. Budapest was hosting the European Political Community gathering, with Orban hugging it out with the continent’s leaders whose standing at home leaves them little leeway to challenge the Russian-friendly prime minister. Orban’s sta…

The Kyiv IndependentBoldizsar Gyori

Source link

Related posts:

Trump sought Russophile Orbán’s advice on Ukraine after winning election, RFE/RL sources say Harris or Trump — Ukraine braces for best, worst-case scenarios as US elects new president Woodward revelations deepen debate on whether Trump will sell out Ukraine to Kremlin What we know about Trump's plans for ending Russia’s war against Ukraine “Nothing but a windbag.” Zelenskyy dismisses Orbán’s ceasefire calls at Budapest summit Ukrainian Leopards smash Russian trenches, Russia wastes rare “Terminators” in battle for Kurakhove Hungary’s Orban says Trump won’t wait until inauguration to ‘manage a peace’ in Ukraine Ukraine builds a bridge to Trumpland