Hungarian PM to visit Kyiv later today

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives to talk to journalists ahead of the European Council Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 27, 2024. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

ALBAWABA - Hungarian Prime Minister, and pro-Russian leader, Viktor Orbán is expected to pay a surprise visit to Kyiv on Tuesday.

According to the Guardian, citing two sources in Budapest, Orbán is likely to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv, marking the Hungarian prime minister's first visit to neighboring Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began more than two years ago.

Mykhailo Podolyak, Zelenskiy's aide, refused to comment on any potential visit. However, another source in Kyiv has verified the preparations. "Orbán will be here tomorrow unless there is a last-minute change," the insider stated.

According to one of the Budapest sources, the trip plans came together following prolonged talks over the rights of Ukraine's Hungarian-speaking minority, which lives in the far west of the country near the border with Hungary.

While nationality rights have been one of Budapest's most argued cases about Ukraine, critics have accused Orbán of exploiting the topic as a cover to promote Russian talking points about the crisis.

In contrast to most European countries, Hungary has consistently questioned the need for military backing for Ukraine and has advocated for a cease-fire. After winning the 2022 parliamentary elections, Orbán put Zelenskiy on a list of "opponents" who had allegedly conspired against him and supported the opposition.

"It was a precondition for the meeting that the issue of nationality rights was resolved. In recent weeks, an agreement has been reached. They will be able to announce this as a success," said a source in Budapest with knowledge of the upcoming visit.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).