BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accepted an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold a bilateral meeting in the future. This potential meeting between the two leaders comes after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Orbán made the announcement during an annual international news conference in Budapest on Thursday. He revealed that the invitation was extended during a brief conversation between the two leaders on the sidelines of a swearing-in ceremony for Argentina's new president, Javier Milei, held on December 10.

During their conversation, President Zelenskyy expressed his desire for negotiations, to which Orbán responded by assuring him of his availability. However, there is a need for clarification on the topics that will be discussed during the meeting, according to Orbán. President Zelenskyy has specifically requested a discussion on Ukraine's ambitions to become a member of the European Union.

The relationship between the two leaders has been strained, particularly as Hungary repeatedly blocked EU efforts to provide financial aid to Ukraine and refused to provide arms support. Orbán has also been opposed to Ukraine's pursuit of EU membership, and notably, he has not made an official trip to Kyiv as Ukraine battles against Russia's invasion.

Last week, Orbán stood as the sole leader in the EU to oppose a 50-billion euro ($54.7 billion) EU aid package to Kyiv. Nonetheless, he allowed the adoption of beginning accession talks with Ukraine by leaving the room when the vote took place. The Hungarian leader holds significant influence as the EU requires unanimous agreement among its members for such decisions.

During the news conference, Orbán reiterated his government's stance against the proposed funding for Ukraine, highlighting concerns about the scope and timeline. He argued that the financing should not rely on modifications to the EU budget but should be based on individual contributions from member countries. Furthermore, he suggested that financial assistance to Ukraine should primarily focus on short-term aid due to uncertainty about the situation in the coming months.

Orbán's position on the conflict and allegations of rolling back Hungary's democratic checks and balances have resulted in increasing isolation within the EU. The bloc has withheld funding due to concerns about corruption and judicial independence. However, last week, Hungary was granted access to 10.2 billion euros ($11 billion) to reimburse spending on approved projects following judicial reforms undertaken by the government.

Critics often point out Orbán's close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, considering him to be Putin's closest ally within the EU. In October, Orbán met with Putin personally during a forum in Shanghai, China. During related media remarks, Orbán referred to the war in Ukraine as a "military operation," adhering to the terminology preferred by Putin and mandated by Russian law.

Defending his language choice, Orbán justified it by saying that until a formal declaration of war exists between Russia and Ukraine, the conflict can be referred to as a "military operation." He conveyed that war would bring about general mobilization, a situation he wishes to avoid for any country.

The upcoming bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Orbán and President Zelenskyy signifies a potential opportunity for dialogue and a chance to address the strained relationship between Hungary and Ukraine. The details of the meeting, including the timeline and specific agenda items, are yet to be determined.