Zelenskyy seeks to hold meeting with Orbán, although latter's policy is "not entirely friendly"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that sometimes Budapest's policy towards Kyiv is "not entirely friendly", yet the two countries can find a diplomatic solution to their disputes, which requires a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his end-of-year press conference on 19 December, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The president mentioned his previous rare meetings with Orbán, adding that he had never spoken to him "about a ceasefire or dialogue with Putin".

"Perhaps he raised this topic with his friends, EU leaders, or somewhere abroad in the United States. It's a bit strange for me. Sometimes, his policies are not entirely friendly to us. And he heard this fact from me. I have many questions for him," he added.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine and Hungary are neighbouring countries, and despite the challenges and years of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, "the experience of our direct dialogue has not allowed us to actually feel powerful, friendly relations against Russian aggression and occupation."

Quote: "Nevertheless, we are neighbours. We are trying to find solutions and answers to certain questions. However, we must organise a meeting to do so...

Last time in Argentina, I told Orbán: 'Viktor, give me one reason why you do not support us in the EU?' He failed to give me one. And secondly, I asked him why we couldn't organise an official meeting. And he still struggled to answer."

More details: The president concluded that he believed Kyiv and Budapest "could find a diplomatic solution, which our sides will work on".

Background: Hungary and Ukraine have had almost no high-level contact since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, although they have picked up at various levels in recent weeks. Talks are underway to arrange a meeting between Zelenskyy and Orbán.

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