Ukraine Taking Steps Toward Meeting With Close Putin Ally: Kyiv Official

A top Kyiv official on Thursday said her country is working to arrange a visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has long been viewed as a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that a meeting scheduled for January 29 between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó will be "related to the preparation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's visit to Ukraine."

Orbán is one of the few NATO leaders who has been sympathetic to Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The Hungarian leader has also consistently tried to block aid to Ukraine from the European Union, and he's spoken out against Ukraine becoming a member of NATO.

"The Prime Minister [of Hungary] was last in Ukraine in 2010—in that country that we hardly remember anymore. It is important for us that he came," Stefanishyna said, according to RFE/RL.

Reuters confirmed Stefanishyna made the comments regarding the plans of a potential Orbán visit, and the news agency also reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff said a visit by Orbán could be discussed during the January 29 meeting.

Newsweek reached out to the Ukrainian and Hungarian ministries of foreign affairs via email on Thursday night for comment.

Orbán also made headlines this week for another move that was likely met with disapproval from the Kremlin when he announced his country intends to ratify Sweden's entry into NATO.

Putin has previously cited his concerns about NATO expansion as one of the reasons for his invasion of Ukraine. But the conflict has only resulted in NATO growing with Finland joining the alliance last year and Sweden now on the cusp of becoming an ally. Both Sweden and Finland cited Moscow's aggression as a reason for applying.

The upcoming meeting between the Ukrainian and Hungarian prime ministers will take place in the Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod. Stefanishyna noted that her country "has already done a lot" in order to make an Orbán visit possible.

"Ukraine is doing a lot because of its openness, openness to dialogue even with the most difficult partners. But we also take the steps that depend on us," she said.

When RFE/RL tried to confirm whether Orbán would come to Kyiv, or if Zelensky would travel to Budapest, Stefanishyna reportedly said the question would be better suited for the foreign ministers after their meeting. She did state her preference, though.

"For me, it is essential to see Prime Minister Orbán in Kyiv, because he plays a difficult role in making historic decisions for Ukraine," she said. "And it is important for me that this person sees the country as Ukrainians see it."

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