Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently visited Beijing to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This meeting comes on the heels of Orban's controversial visits to Moscow and Kyiv, which he described as a 'peace mission.'
During the meeting, Orban and Xi discussed 'issues of common concern,' according to China's Foreign Ministry. The two leaders met at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.
Orban's visit to China coincides with the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, where US President Joe Biden will gather leaders from the alliance to discuss continued support for Ukraine's defense.
China's role in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been a topic of concern for NATO leaders, who suspect Beijing of supporting Moscow's war efforts through economic and diplomatic means. Despite its close ties with Russia, China maintains that it has not provided weapons to either side of the conflict.
Orban, a known ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been advocating for a ceasefire in Ukraine rather than military intervention. He believes that China plays a crucial role in creating conditions for peace in the region.
Orban's visit to Beijing follows Xi's official visit to Budapest just two months ago, where the two leaders strengthened their countries' ties. Orban's recent diplomatic engagements have raised eyebrows in Europe, where he is viewed as an illiberal outlier.
European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have criticized Orban's approach to the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for unity and determination to achieve a lasting peace.
Orban's recent discussions with Putin and Zelensky have focused on finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. His efforts to facilitate peace talks have been met with mixed reactions, with some calling for a more assertive stance against Russian aggression.
As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, the international community remains divided on the best approach to ending the conflict and restoring peace to the region.
