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Hungarian PM travels to Florida to discuss 'possibilities for peace' with Donald Trump
Hungary's far-right prime minister Viktor Orban held talks with former US president Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago Florida on Thursday, departing early from the NATO summit. According to Orban's spokesman Zoltan Kovacs, the meeting was focused on the "possibilities for peace".
"There must be PEACE, and quickly," Trump on Truth Social, reposting the Hungarian PM's port about the meeting. "Too many people have died in a war that should have never started!".
During the NATO summit, Orban held a side meeting with Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who, according to the Hungarian leader is “the only country that has successfully acted as a mediator between the warring parties in the Russian-Ukrainian war”. According to The Guardian Orban did not request a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden.
Before flying to the US Orban met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, following a highly controversial visit to Moscow and Kyiv. Orban, who describes these trips as a "peace mission," has faced significant criticism from Western nations for his perceived pro-Russia stance during Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Their discussions at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing centered on detailed dialogues concerning the conflict in Ukraine, according to a statement from Chinese state TV, CCTV.
Orban's meeting with Putin sparks outrage amongst EU leaders.
Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday, drawing sharp criticism from EU and NATO officials, who labeled the visit a “breach” of diplomatic norms. Budapest just took on the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe this month. Orban embarked on what he calls a “peace mission” to Russia.
After a long discussion with Putin, Orbán acknowledged the vast difference between Ukraine's and Russia’s positions. He reported that Putin insisted on a “full and final end to the conflict,” demanding Ukraine cede four eastern provinces to Russia. Orbán committed to "pursuing an end to the war" during Hungary’s six-month EU presidency, asserting, “There are almost no countries left that are in contact with both sides. Hungary is one of them.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took to Twitter/X, declaring: “Appeasement will not stop Putin. Only unity and determination will pave the path to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Orbán had no mandate from the EU Council for his visit. He reiterated the EU’s stance against official contacts with Putin, reminding that the Russian president is under an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for his role in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda condemned Orbán’s move, stating: “The unilateral decision by PM Viktor Orban to go to Moscow doesn't in any shape or form represent the EU position. It also undermines the credibility of the Hungarian EU presidency. If you truly seek peace, you don't shake hands with a bloody dictator, you put all your efforts into supporting Ukraine.”
Polish PM Donald Tusk reacted on social media, questioning Orbán’s initiative: “The question is in whose hands this tool is.”
Hungary to exit International Criminal Court
Hungary is reportedly looking into the prospect of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Viktor Orbán has directed three ministers to assess the “consequences of Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC” during a Council of Ministers meeting. This move comes shortly after the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC had previously issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a significant ally of Orbán in recent years.
New legislation to crack down on the independent press in preparation
The Hungarian justice minister has until September to draft legislation on what constitutes "war propaganda" in the media, Gergely Gulyas said during a press conference this week. However, according to the decision published in the Hungarian Official Gazette, the amendment must be ready by 31 July.
As of now, it is not entirely clear what counts as "war propaganda". By the Hungarian government's definition, "the Western pro-war narrative is pro-intervention and pro-escalation" and seeks to sway public opinion in favor of war and Western intervention. The "narrative is based on the premise that Russia poses a serious threat not only to Ukraine but also to Europe and world security" and seeks to discredit the government and the prime minister's position.
If someone is officially accused of being pro-war, it will be extremely difficult to challenge it in court," Miklós Ligeti, legal director of Transparency International Hungary, told 444. "Being pro-war is an opinion, and if a state power body makes an offensive or disparaging statement in its official capacity, it must be accepted, there is no legal remedy."
A further question is what sanctions will be imposed for accepting "money for war propaganda" and what will count as "funds for war propaganda" according to the new legislation.