Hungary's Orbán in Kyiv for talks with Zelenskyy in first visit since the war began
NPR Online NewsJul 01
Hungary's Orbán Makes First War-Time Visit to Ukraine
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The Facts
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Tuesday made his first visit to Ukraine since the country was plunged into war more than two years ago.
The visit by Orbán, widely considered Europe's most pro-Russia leader and a frequent critic of Western military aid to Ukraine, comes a day after Hungary assumed the rotating EU presidency for the remainder of the year.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
With Orbán being Putin's biggest supporter in Europe, Hungary's turn to take on the presidency of the EU will no doubt raise major headaches for neighboring leaders and diplomats. Initiatives that Hungary puts forward in this period should be taken with a grain of salt.
Establishment-critical narrative
When one soberly looks at the troubles facing Europe, the war in Ukraine is undoubtedly the source of the biggest problems. Russia and Ukraine will inevitably hold talks to end the war, and rather than looking to prolong the conflict, Hungary's perspective is to meaningfully engage in that process so all of Europe's interests can be put forward.
