Trump asked Orban for opinion on ending war in Ukraine

(Patria) - US President-elect Donald Trump has held several phone conversations with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban since his election victory on November 5, sources from the Hungarian service of Radio Free Europe (RFE) said.

Sources from the Hungarian government also stated that Trump sought Orban's opinion on ending the war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing since Russia's invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.

During the presidential campaign, Trump criticized the billions of dollars the US sent to Ukraine. He repeatedly said he could end the war within 24 hours of re-entering the White House.

Orban, who has maintained friendly ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump, has been critical of EU aid to Ukraine and has obstructed European sanctions against Moscow.

The Hungarian prime minister could reportedly embark on a peace mission to end the war in Ukraine in December, writes the Hungarian service of RFE.

Sources suggested it could involve conveying Trump's messages to Zelensky, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Despite criticism from Brussels, Orban traveled to Moscow in July where he met with Putin after a trip to Kyiv with a ceasefire proposal for Ukrainian President Zelensky.

He then traveled to China, and finally to the US for a meeting with Trump, who was then on the campaign trail.