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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Meets Chinese Leader Xi Jinping in Beijing Amid Rising Tensions

Beijing – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, following controversial visits to Moscow and Kyiv that Orban described as part of a “peace mission.”
Orban, often criticized in the West for his pro-Russia stance amidst Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine, posted a photo of his arrival at a Beijing airport on social media platform X, captioned “Peace mission 3.0.” The talks between the two leaders at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse centered on “in-depth communication” about the war in Ukraine, according to a readout from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Orban’s visit to China occurred just a day before a NATO summit in Washington, where US President Joe Biden is set to host leaders from the alliance, including Hungary, to discuss continued support for Ukraine. Orban’s spokesperson confirmed that Washington would be his next stop after Beijing.
China, Russia’s most crucial diplomatic ally, is also expected to be a key topic at the NATO gathering. NATO leaders have expressed increasing alarm over what they perceive as China’s backing of Russia’s war effort through the provision of dual-use goods and other forms of support. Beijing has denied supplying weapons to either side and insists it maintains strict controls on dual-use exports. China claims neutrality in the conflict but has positioned itself as a potential peace broker while deepening ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During Monday’s meeting, Xi reiterated Beijing’s call for a ceasefire in Ukraine, a stance that has been criticized in the West for seemingly aiding Russia in consolidating its territorial gains without demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian soil. Orban, seen as Putin’s closest ally in Europe, has also been advocating for a ceasefire rather than military support for Ukraine.
Orban praised China as a “key power in creating the conditions for peace” and highlighted the importance of his visit to Beijing, coming just two months after Xi’s official visit to Budapest. Xi emphasized that China and Hungary share similar views on Ukraine and indirectly criticized the United States and its allies for “fanning” the conflict by arming Ukraine.
Orban’s visit to Beijing follows his recent trips to Russia and Ukraine, which took place just a week after Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. His meeting with Putin in Moscow marked the first visit by an EU leader since April 2022 and drew criticism from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who condemned Orban’s approach and stressed that unity and determination are essential for achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Orban’s diplomatic tour is set to conclude with his participation in the NATO summit in Washington, where he is expected to brief other leaders on his recent talks with Putin and Xi. His visit to Moscow came after a stop in Kyiv, where he proposed a ceasefire to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a suggestion dismissed by Zelensky’s office, which maintains that restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity is a prerequisite for peace.
Orban and Xi last met in May when they upgraded bilateral ties to an “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership,” despite mounting European concerns over China’s security threat. During Monday’s meeting, Xi reiterated his wish for Hungary to play an “active role” in promoting stable China-EU relations during its EU Council presidency.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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