Xi Jinping calls for ceasefire in Ukraine as Hungarian President Orban makes surprise stop in China

In Beijing on Monday, Xi praised Orban’s efforts after the Hungarian president briefed him on his visits to kyiv and Moscow. He said China and Hungary would maintain communication on Ukraine, as their peace efforts were largely “aligned.”

“China actively promotes peace talks in its own way and encourages and supports all efforts conducive to a peaceful resolution of the crisis,” Xi said, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

“It is in the interests of all parties to achieve a ceasefire and end the war as early as possible and seek a political solution,” Xi said.

“The international community must create conditions and provide assistance for both sides to resume direct dialogue and negotiations. Only when all major powers demonstrate positive energy rather than negative energy will this conflict see the dawn of a ceasefire.”

Orban told Xi that he appreciated China’s efforts and that Beijing’s advocacy for peace had “great significance,” according to a video clip of the meeting posted on Orban’s official Instagram account.

In another Facebook post, Orban said China was a “key player” in bringing peace to Ukraine. “In addition to the warring parties, the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war depends on the decision of the three world powers, the United States, the European Union and China,” he wrote.

Hungary is at odds with the European Union’s support for Ukraine, as it has blocked and delayed aid to the war-torn country. meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Last week, the EU and other member states sharply criticised Hungary, with European Council President Charles Michel saying Hungary had “no mandate” to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU.

Orban’s peace mission comes as the bloc is increasingly divided over support for Ukraine. His far-right party is also forming what could become the dominant right-wing alliance in the European Parliament, including Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, a French party opposed to continued funding for kyiv.

Orban’s next stop will be Washington, where Western leaders will meet to discuss Ukraine in a NATO summit which begins Tuesday.

Like Hungary, China’s stance on Ukraine has also drawn suspicion from the EU, which has sanctioned some Chinese companies over their ties to Russia. However, many European officials still expect Beijing to play a peacemaker role, given its influence in the global South and Xi Jinping’s personal ties to Putin. The two discussed Ukraine when they met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kazakhstan last week.

But neither China nor Russia were present last month. Peace Summit in Ukraine in SwitzerlandBeijing refused to participate in the talks because Moscow was excluded from the discussions, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China of working with Russia to undermine the summit.

In Beijing on Monday, Xi also urged Hungary to help promote China-EU relations, which remain strained over trade disputes, during its rotating presidency.

Orban agreed to maintain strategic coordination with China and said Hungary opposed “bloc confrontation,” according to the Xinhua report.

Xi Jinping also called on the two countries to enhance political trust and expand cooperation under Beijing’s leadership. Belt and Road Initiativesaying that China’s deepening economic reform would bring new opportunities to bilateral relations.

The two leaders last met in May, when Xi visited Hungary on his first visit. European tour – which also affected France and Serbia – since the Covid-19 pandemic.

During Xi Jinping’s visit to Budapest, the two countries elevated their relations to the rank of “all the time“Comprehensive Strategic Partnership – a status reserved for countries Beijing trusts most, such as Belarus, Pakistan and Venezuela.