President Trump reached out to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday, aiming to secure support for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union. Reports indicate that this call was made following discussions with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier that day.
Orban, a strong ally of Trump in Europe, participated in this conversation amidst a backdrop of talks involving the president and several European leaders in Washington.
A European official suggested that Trump’s influence could potentially encourage Orban to reconsider his stance on Hungary’s participation in the EU regarding Ukraine.
Hungary has shown interest in hosting future talks that could involve both Zelensky and Russian President Putin. Trump appears to be in favor of this proposed summit, which would also see him engage in discussions with these leaders.
Details about where and when this summit might occur remain uncertain.
The White House seems to be leaning towards organizing this trilateral meeting in Budapest, according to reports from White House officials and others close to the administration.
Orban, who maintains a cordial relationship with Putin, has previously attempted to impede the EU’s attempts to send military aid to Ukraine and has occasionally challenged sanctions against Russia.
Neither the White House nor Orban’s office provided comments regarding the phone call.
Orban has expressed reservations about Ukraine’s EU membership, stating that it does not guarantee security assurances and highlighting that linking membership and security assurances could be “unnecessary and dangerous.”
Interestingly, Trump’s call with Orban coincided with a separate conversation he had with Putin, which lasted around 40 minutes and occurred without European leaders or Zelensky in attendance.
The gathering of European officials and Zelensky in Washington took place shortly after Putin’s meetings with Russian officials in Alaska, as well as with Trump, Secretary Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkov.
Rubio is leading a newly established joint committee tasked with drafting a security assurance proposal that involves U.S. officials, European representatives, Ukrainian leaders, and NATO.
As Trump strives to help resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, he seems open to providing air support as part of this security guarantee. “We’re willing to assist, especially in the air, since, well, I think we have unique capabilities,” the president stated on Tuesday.
