Ukraine, Hungary prepare for Zelensky, Orban meeting amid tensions
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (second from left) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (right) exchanging words in Argentina on Dec 10, during the inauguration of President Javier Milei.
PHOTO: REUTERS
KYIV – Ukraine and Hungary are preparing a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the near future, the Ukrainian President’s chief of staff said on Dec 28, amid recent steps by Hungary that have soured ties.
Earlier in December, all European Union states except Hungary agreed to start accession talks with Ukraine. The bloc’s leaders bypassed Mr Orban’s opposition by getting him to leave the room when the decision was made.
But leaders could not overcome his resistance to revamping the EU budget to channel €50 billion (S$73 billion) to Kyiv and are expected to revisit the issue at an emergency summit on Feb 1.
Mr Orban wants funding for Kyiv to come from outside the EU budget.
Mr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak made his remarks following a “productive phone call” with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
“We are working to organise a meeting between the two leaders in the near future,” Mr Yermak said on the X social media platform.
He added that Ukraine’s progress on the path of European integration was also discussed.
Mr Zelensky earlier said countries need to organise a constructive meeting to discuss problems in their relations.
Mr Orban later confirmed he had accepted an invitation to meet. REUTERS
