In a recent visit to Kyiv on July 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and urged consideration of a ceasefire in order to accelerate peace talks. Orban expressed the idea of reversing the order and initiating a ceasefire first, stating that it would provide an opportunity to hasten the peace negotiations.

Orban commended Ukraine's peace initiatives but remarked that they were taking too long. However, Zelensky dismissed Orban's proposal, reiterating Ukraine's stance on the matter. Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Ihor Zhovkva, stated that Zelensky appreciated Orban's input but firmly maintained the clear and well-known position of Ukraine.

This is not the first instance of Kyiv rejecting a temporary break in hostilities, citing concerns that it could potentially allow Russia to regroup its forces. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has strained relations between the two countries. Orban and Zelensky also discussed long-standing issues and made efforts to improve relations.

Orban's visit to Ukraine is significant as Hungary assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. The timing has stirred controversy, leading some European officials to call for the suspension of Hungary's presidency. Hungary has been known to oppose Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU, sanctions on Russia, and has maintained close ties with Moscow throughout the conflict.

Following their discussions, both leaders agreed that the meeting served as an important step towards resolving the ongoing issues between the two countries. Zelensky emphasized that the content of their talks could lay the groundwork for a future bilateral agreement that would regulate relations between Hungary and Ukraine. Orban expressed his desire to establish cooperative relations with Ukraine, similar to those Hungary has with its neighboring countries.

During the visit, Orban also pledged support for Ukraine in its modernization efforts and acknowledged progress made in addressing the concerns of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. As a gesture of cooperation, both leaders also agreed to open the first school for Ukrainian-speaking children in Hungary.

The visit by Orban was reportedly confirmed following negotiations on the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority in Ukraine. This issue has contributed to strained relations between the two countries in recent years. With the bilateral talks between Orban and Zelensky, there is hope that progress can be made towards resolving these longstanding problems.

Overall, the visit by Prime Minister Orban to Kyiv marks an important diplomatic meeting between Hungary and Ukraine, with discussions focused on peace talks, bilateral cooperation, and addressing historical concerns.