PM Orbán: Hungary backs Trump’s peace efforts amid Russian breach near Pokrovsk – UPDATED with Orbán interview

“Give peace a chance!” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Facebook on Tuesday, in a post on the reasons behind his decision to withhold support from the European Council’s declaration ahead of the upcoming summit in Alaska between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

PM Orbán: Give peace a chance!

“Just four days before the historic meeting between Trump and Putin … the European Council tried to issue a declaration in the name of of all EU heads of state and government. Before the European liberal mainstream … starts chanting ‘Putin’s puppet’ again, I would like to share why I could not support the declaration on behalf of Hungary,” Orbán said.

Orbán said that the declaration was “trying to set conditions for a meeting EU leaders weren’t even invited to”. “It is sad enough that the EU has been sidelined. The only thing worse would be for us to shout instructions from the bench,” he said. The only reasonable move from EU leaders would be to convene an EU-Russia meeting, taking the US-Russia summit as a model, he said.

“Give peace a chance!” Orbán declared.

No decisions without Ukraine, says the EU but not Hungary

“The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities,” the remaining 26 EU membes countries wrote in a joint statement reported by the Turkish Anadolu News agency.

“A Ukraine capable of defending itself effectively is an integral part of any future security guarantees,” they stressed, voicing “readiness” to further contribute to security guarantees, the statement added.

Russia breached Ukrainian defences

According to the Russian outlet The Moscow Times, Russian forces have pierced the front line in the Donetsk region. The breach is 11.4 kilometres wide, an unprecedented advance considering the average pace of the Russian offensive over recent years. Ukrainian sources have confirmed the breach. Russian analysts report they are deploying small infantry units supported by drone surveillance. The city of Pokrovsk is now at risk following the breach; it is a crucial logistics and transportation hub.

Hungarian analyst Attila Demkó suggests that it appears the Russians will achieve their minimum objective: capturing the Donbas region.

France says Alaska summit must deliver ceasefire wanted by Trump, Ukraine

The upcoming summit between the American and Russian presidents in the US state of Alaska must lead to a ceasefire wanted by US President Donald Trump and accepted by Ukraine, the French foreign minister said Monday. Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X that EU foreign ministers reiterated support for Ukraine and aspire to a just and lasting peace, Anadolu wrote.

His remarks followed an informal videoconference of EU foreign affairs ministers that discussed developments ahead of Trump’s meeting Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The summit to be held in Alaska must lead to the ceasefire desired by President Trump and accepted by Ukraine five months ago already,” said Barrot. “It is on this basis that negotiations can finally begin.”

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said after the meeting that transatlantic unity, support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia are “how we will end this war and prevent future Russian aggression in Europe.” ‘Ukraine must be part of any agreement leading to just, lasting peace’

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reiterated that European countries stand by the side of Ukraine “in these critical days,” closely coordinated with transatlantic partners. “We support the goal of @potus (US President Donald Trump) to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” he wrote on X, noting that the result must be “a just & lasting peace.”

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp also welcomed the US initiative to reach an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. “Ukraine must be part of any agreement leading to a just and lasting peace,” he wrote on X, adding that European and transatlantic unity is key. “As EU, we are fully committed to support efforts for a durable solution,” he said.

UPDATE: Orbán interview

In an interview with the mandiner website later on Tuesday, Orbán highlighted his argument that Europe should engage with Russia and hold its own summit.

Stating his reason for withholding his support for the EU Council’s declaration ahead of the Russia-US summit, Orbán said the document “unequivocally and clearly” urges for Ukraine to become an EU member. Hungarians, when they voted in a government-backed survey, Vote 2025, earlier in the year, said they did not want to be the members of the same bloc as Ukraine, he said, adding he could not support a declaration that “runs against the decision of the Hungarian people”.

Meanwhile, he said the Russia-Ukraine war was a European issue, which should be settled by Europe, but it was incapable of this. “Shouting from the sidelines at the talks of two strong men, the US and Russian presidents, is weak and pathetic,” he said. Europe should take the initiative on matters “happening in its own backyard” with greater manliness, the prime minister said. “We need a Russia-EU summit, not to comment on a Russia-US one,” he added.

Asked whether Hungary was “alone with that stance”, Orbán said: “We are never alone. We are the only ones to say it, but many think it.” Responding another question, he said he expected the US-Russia summit to “significantly reduce the risk of a world war”.

Read also:

• Trump asked PM Orbán whether Ukraine could win against Russia – here’s the answer
• FM Szijjártó called Russian Deputy PM Denis Manturov ahead of Putin-Trump summit

Click for more articles concerning the war in Ukraine.