Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake fingers after a joint information briefing, amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 2, 2024.
Valentyn Ogirenko | Reuters
OXFORD, England — Ukraine’s president, Volodymr Zelenskyy, on Thursday hit out at European leaders who “betray” Kyiv’s pursuits in a thinly veiled assault towards Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his shadow peace talks.
Zelenskyy instructed European leaders that Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, had to this point didn’t sow disunity throughout the area, however famous that EU member states — and one weak hyperlink particularly — may but bow to temptation or blackmail.
“He [Putin] might attempt to method you or go to a few of your companions individually, attempting to tempt or strain you, to blackmail you in order that considered one of you betrays the remaining, weakening our unity,” he mentioned in opening remarks on the European Political Neighborhood summit at Blenheim Palace, England.
The Ukrainian chief mentioned that it was right down to particular person leaders to determine easy methods to act and “what legacy to depart.”
However, in an obvious reference to Orban’s latest assembly with Putin in Moscow, he famous that those that act towards the Continent’s pursuits shouldn’t be thought of a part of group issues.
“If somebody in Europe tries to resolve points behind others’ backs and even on the expense of another person, if somebody needs to make some journeys to the capital of conflict to speak and promise one thing towards our frequent pursuits — or the expense of Ukraine and different international locations — then why ought to we think about such an individual?” he mentioned.
“The EU and NATO may also deal with all their points with out this one particular person,” he mentioned.
“Putin can not maintain relationships with actually robust leaders. That is our benefit but it surely stays our benefit solely so long as we’re united,” he added.
Hungary’s International Ministry didn’t instantly reply to a CNBC request for touch upon the remarks.
Zelenskyy was addressing the European Union’s 27 member states, in addition to 20 different heads of state from throughout the area, throughout opening remarks on the European Political Neighborhood summit, which was established in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Final month, Ukraine held its personal peace summit with help from Switzerland, and Zelenskyy mentioned it’s within the strategy of planning one other for later this 12 months.
Orban, an ally of Putin, met with the Russian chief earlier this month, in a visit which drew condemnation from Europe, coming simply days after his go to to Kyiv.
Hungary, which is each a member of the EU and NATO, took over the rotating EU presidency earlier this 12 months.
“The peace mission continues. Second cease: Moscow,” he mentioned in a social media submit on the time.
Chatting with CNBC exterior the summit Thursday, Orban mentioned he believed it was his job to persuade leaders to “shift from the pro-war coverage to a pro-peace coverage.” In separate feedback to reporters, Orban mentioned his sentiments have been shared by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Recalling a gathering final week at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago membership in Florida, which he on the time dubbed “peace mission 5.0,” the Hungarian prime minister mentioned Trump had indicated he would instantly do “all the pieces in favor of peace” if elected in November.
He added that Trump had urged that the “monetary burden” between the U.S. and Europe could be totally different if he have been again in energy. “We should always perceive it right here,” Orban mentioned forward of the EPC talks.
