In a letter addressed to European Council President Charles Michel and sent to all European Union leaders, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that US President Donald Trump would serve as a peace broker between Russia and Ukraine if elected for a second term. Orban's declaration came after his controversial meetings with Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

According to Orban, Trump is ready to take immediate action towards brokering peace, even before his inauguration, as he allegedly possesses detailed and well-founded plans. However, his stance is in contrast with most EU leaders who have pledged unwavering support for Ukraine as it faces Russia's military offensive.

Orban's letter further hinted at Trump's potential plans to reduce financial aid to Ukraine if he is reelected, suggesting that the proportion of financial burden between the US and the EU would shift unfavorably for the EU in supporting Ukraine.

During a CNN town hall last year, Trump confidently claimed that he would resolve the conflict within 24 hours if he became president. However, in a recent CNN debate with President Joe Biden, Trump called Putin's terms for an agreement, including Ukraine ceding territories currently occupied by Russia, as "unacceptable." Trump has previously voiced criticism of US military aid to Ukraine.

Orban, who has been a long-time ally of Trump within the EU, embarked on what he calls "peace missions." In early July, Orban met with Putin in Moscow and with Xi in Beijing. He also visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, marking his first visit to Ukraine since the Russian invasion started.

Orban urged EU leaders to seize a "window of opportunity" to initiate a new chapter in EU policy, seeking to decrease tensions, establish temporary ceasefires, and commence peace negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As Hungary holds the rotating EU presidency, their slogan "Make Europe Great Again" has drawn criticism from EU lawmakers who accused Orban of misrepresenting and undermining the EU's foreign policy stance.

In a letter signed by 63 European lawmakers, Orban's actions were deemed damaging and an abuse of his role as the European Council president. The lawmakers called for the suspension of Hungary's voting rights in the European Council, emphasizing that mere verbal condemnations have proven ineffective in the past.

The controversy surrounding Orban's meetings and his assertions about Trump's potential role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict highlights the divisions among EU leaders regarding their approach to the ongoing crisis.