Orban-Trump Meeting Amid NATO Tensions: Ukraine War in Focus

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is set to meet with Donald Trump following controversial visits to Moscow and Beijing. The war in Ukraine is expected to be a key topic. Orban's actions have frustrated NATO allies, as he seeks to balance relations between Russia and Western powers.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will meet Donald Trump on Thursday, following visits to Moscow and Beijing that have angered NATO allies. The agenda for the meeting at Trump's Florida home, however, remains unclear, though insiders say the war in Ukraine will be a significant topic of conversation.

Orban, a nationalist leader and long-time Trump supporter, made surprise visits to Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing under the banner of a 'peace mission.' His Moscow meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin particularly alarmed NATO members, who viewed it as giving legitimacy to Putin amid ongoing tensions over the Ukraine conflict.

Notably, Orban did not inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy about his visit to Moscow, which Zelenskiy dismissed as lacking the necessary power for effective peace negotiations. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has stated that Ukraine must be included in any peace talks for them to be legitimate.

Many European Union members have also expressed frustration over Orban's self-styled peace mission. Meanwhile, Hungary, currently holding the EU's rotating presidency, continues to voice opposition to certain NATO positions without blocking alliance actions. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto indicated that a second Trump presidency could bring peace to Ukraine.

Recent reports suggest that foreign officials are increasingly seeking meetings with Trump and his advisors to discuss potential foreign policies if he wins the upcoming election. At a recent NATO summit, Orban found himself isolated, highlighting the growing frustration among NATO allies concerning his recent actions.

(With inputs from agencies.)