Orbán seeks support from China, Brazil for new Ukraine peace intiative

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is once again rallying international support for his controversial peacemaking efforts in Ukraine. On the sidelines of last week’s UN General Assembly, Orbán reached out to leaders from China and Brazil, proposing a peace summit aimed at facilitating dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv.

“The dying must stop,” Orbán stated, underscoring the urgency of his renewed push for negotiations with Russia. His outreach follows an earlier failed attempt to persuade Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the need for compromise, which was met with significant resistance.

Orbán’s previous peace initiatives stirred considerable discontent among European leaders, especially after Hungary took over the EU presidency in June. His self-appointed role as a negotiator drew ire from Brussels, which insisted that any peace efforts should be conducted under the EU’s auspices. EU officials were particularly reluctant to entertain the idea of meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, given the bloc’s strong opposition to the invasion that began in early 2022.

Kyiv has made its stance clear: it will not engage in discussions that do not prioritize the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories, including Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reiterated this position during the UN session, asserting that “any parallel or alternative attempts to seek peace are, in fact, efforts to achieve a lull instead of an end to the war.” He urged nations to unite against Russia, stating, “Do not divide the world. Be united nations. And that will bring us peace.”

Orbán’s latest efforts also face challenges beyond Kyiv. While he seeks cooperation from Brazil, he may need to mend fences after Hungary’s controversial asylum offer to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, which angered current President Lula da Silva. Orbán’s diplomatic maneuvering will require careful navigation to gain the necessary support for his summit.

As the political landscape remains tense, Orbán’s attempt to position himself as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict continues to face skepticism. The outcome of his latest diplomatic overtures will be closely watched, as the struggle for peace in Ukraine remains fraught with complexities and competing narratives.