Orban traveled to Beijing for meeting with Xi
Details about the meeting were not known initially. The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing had previously announced that the topic of the conversation would be "Matters of mutual interest." Orban had already met Xi in Hungary in May and agreed on a strategic partnership.
In the past few days, the Hungarian president had unexpectedly traveled to Ukraine and Russia. He had described his Moscow trip as a "Peace mission." Orban's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin a few days after Hungary took over the EU presidency had drawn criticism from the EU and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. The White House also expressed concern.
Orban maintains close relations with Moscow despite the Ukraine war and goes against the EU line. Orban has repeatedly delayed EU sanctions against Russia and EU financial aid for Kiev. He also criticized the opening of EU membership talks with Ukraine.
- Despite his recent trip to Ukraine and Russia, Viktor Orban is expected to discuss "Matters of mutual interest" with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their upcoming meeting in Beijing.
- The EU has raised concerns about Orban's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which took place after Hungary took over the EU presidency, citing its opposition to Ukraine's EU membership talks.
- The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing had earlier stated that the purpose of the meeting between Orban and Xi Jinping would focus on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring potential collaboration opportunities.
- Hungary's President Viktor Orban, who has a close relationship with Russia, has faced criticism from both EU and NATO leaders for his stance on the ongoing Ukraine war and his delay of EU sanctions against Russia.
- During his recent trip to Moscow, Orban referred to himself as a "Peace missionary," emphasizing the importance of diplomacy in resolving geopolitical conflicts.
- Hours before his departure for Beijing, Orban paid a visit to Ukraine, expressing his support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity during a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
