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Defense OneJul 18
Hungary's Orbán Makes Surprise Visit to China
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Image copyright: Andrea Verdelli/Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán arrived in Beijing on Monday and met with Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping, three days after meeting Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Orbán called his visit — which comes a day before a three-day NATO summit starts in Washington — "Peace mission 3.0."
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Orbán's outreach to China and Russia over Ukraine is a smart move. This "shuttle diplomacy" reflects a pragmatic approach in contrast with the West's confrontational stance. Orban's efforts align with Xi's call for a political settlement that may foster a less antagonistic approach to world conflicts within the context of Xi and Putin's efforts to forge a more harmonious multipolar world order.
Pro-establishment narrative
Orbán has no role or right in mediating over the Ukraine war. This so-called "shuttle diplomacy" is undermined by Hungary's policy towards Ukraine, which includes making unreasonable demands regarding Hungarian minorities. His actions serve as a "Trojan horse" for Russia within the EU and NATO. This is a cynical undermining of a rules-based order that seeks to end Russian aggression against Ukraine.
