Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

DW: China’s Xi Jinping meets Orban, Putin’s closest ally among EU leaders, in Hungary

Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomed Xi.
Viktor Orban EU Council
Viktor Orban making his way to the EU Council in December 2018. Credit: Council of the European Union/Facebook
DW: China’s Xi Jinping meets Orban, Putin’s closest ally among EU leaders, in Hungary

On 8 May, Chinese President Xi Jinping came to Budapest, Hungary, to hold talks on possible further cooperation between the two countries and discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to Deutsche Welle.

China claims neutrality in the war. However, in April 2024, reports emerged on Chinese aid for Russia, including a range of critical materials for the manufacture of cruise missiles, drones, and military optics for tanks and armored vehicles for the Kremlin’s war machine. The West, especially the US, criticized China for the assistance, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting the country and meeting top officials.

Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok received the Chinese president with a ceremonial welcome. The country’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, who is believed to be Putin’s closest ally among the EU leaders, was at the ceremony too.

Xi Jinping arrived in Hungary after meeting leaders in France and Serbia on his first state visit to Europe in the last five years. In Paris, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron sought to press Xi to use his influence on Moscow to end the conflict, as per AP.  Russia’s war in Ukraine is likely to be a topic of discussion this week.

China and Hungary are also expected to sign more than 16 agreements, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. They could include a large-scale infrastructure project within the Belt and Road Initiative, which is the plan launched in 2013 to build networks connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Hungary would not approve sending the €1,5 billion in EU aid to Ukraine from the European Peace Facility.

Hungary to block EU’s €1.5 billion aid for Ukraine, claiming “witch-hunt” against Hungarian companies

The initiative was established in March 2021. It funds military aid and EU military missions abroad. As of March 2024, €11.1 billion of EPF funding has been committed for military support to Ukraine.

Read more:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts