EU Anger Over Orban's Unapproved Ukraine 'Peace Mission'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's unauthorized Ukraine "peace mission," involving talks with Donald Trump and leaders of Russia and China, has troubled EU officials. Charles Michel, European Council Chair, emphasized that Orban had no mandate for such talks and criticized his stance on the EU's Ukraine policy as 'pro-war.'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's self-styled Ukraine "peace mission," which included talks with Donald Trump and leaders of Russia and China, has drawn sharp criticism from European Union officials.

Charles Michel, the European Council Chair, asserted that Orban lacked an EU mandate for these discussions. Michel also refuted Orban's claims that the EU's Ukraine policy was 'pro-war,' stressing instead that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is merely defending itself.

The controversy stems from Orban's close ties with Russia and his long-standing support for Trump. His actions have led to the exclusion of EU Commissioners from meetings held under Hungary's EU presidency and calls from lawmakers to suspend Budapest's voting rights in the bloc.

(With inputs from agencies.)