During a meeting with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged global powers to assist in resuming direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Orbán, who had recently visited Russia and Ukraine to discuss a potential peaceful resolution to the conflict, made a surprise visit to China as part of his ongoing peace mission. Hungary, having taken on the rotating presidency of the European Union, has seen Orbán spearheading this initiative, though it lacks the backing of other European leaders.
Orbán highlighted China's significant role in fostering peace in the Russia-Ukraine war in a post on the social media platform X. His visit to Beijing followed his meeting with Xi in Budapest two months prior. Orbán is known for his close relationships with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a fact that drew criticism from Kyiv and EU officials after his recent trip to Moscow. Despite this, Orbán continued his diplomatic efforts in Beijing, dubbing his mission “Peace mission 3.0” in a social media post.
In their meeting, Orbán praised China's stabilizing influence and its peace initiatives. China has been advocating for its own six-point peace plan, introduced with Brazil in May, while maintaining a stance of neutrality in the conflict. However, China has supported Moscow through frequent state visits, increasing trade, and joint military exercises.
During Orbán's visit, Xi called for a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine and urged major powers to foster an environment conducive to negotiations, emphasizing the need for “positive energy.”
Xi's call for peace coincides with China's efforts to enhance its influence in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, illustrated by recent “anti-terror” military drills with Belarus near the Polish border. Belarus, a key Russian ally, has joined a regional security organization led by China and Russia.
Orbán's relationship with China has led to Hungary being designated as an “all-weather, comprehensive strategic partner,” a status shared with only a few other countries. Hungary has deepened its political and economic ties with China, hosting several Chinese electric vehicle battery facilities, including an upcoming BYD manufacturing plant.
Orbán's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly his opposition to Western military aid to Ukraine, has frustrated Hungary's EU and NATO allies. He has consistently blocked or diluted EU efforts to support Kyiv and sanction Moscow. Standing with Putin in Moscow, Orbán witnessed Putin's firm rejection of a cease-fire that might allow Ukraine to regroup, demanding Ukraine's withdrawal from territories claimed by Russia in 2022. This demand has been outright rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies.
Following his visit to China, Orbán is set to attend a NATO summit in Washington, D.C., where leaders will discuss ongoing support for Ukraine. Orbán, who openly supports Donald Trump's presidential candidacy, has stated that his next stop is Washington, but has not specified if the meetings will include Biden or Trump.
