Hungary's Orbán says he agreed to a future meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says he accepted an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy to hold a bilateral meeting in the future

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says he has accepted an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy to hold a bilateral meeting in the future, a potential first between the two leaders since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Speaking at an annual international news conference in Budapest on Thursday, Orbán said he agreed to Zelenskyy's proposal for a future meeting during a brief conversation between the two leaders on the sidelines of a Dec. 10 swearing-in ceremony for Argentina's new president, Javier Milei.

“(Zelenskyy) said, ‘We should negotiate,’ and I told him I'd be at his disposal. We just have to clarify one question: about what?” Orbán said, adding that the Ukrainian leader requested a discussion on his country's ambitions to join the European Union.

Relations between the two leaders have been fraught as Hungary has repeatedly blocked EU efforts to provide financial aid to Ukraine and refused to provide its neighbor with arms support. Orbán also has opposed Ukraine embarking on the EU membership path and is one of the only EU leaders not to have made an official trip to Kyiv as Ukraine fights against Russia's invasion.

Last week, Orbán prevented the adoption of a 50-billion euro ($54.7 billion) EU aid package to Kyiv, the only leader in the 27-member bloc to oppose the funding. The EU requires unanimity among its members, giving the Hungarian leader tremendous leverage. However, by leaving the room when a vote was held, he allowed his counterparts to approve beginning accession talks with Ukraine.