Orbán reveals when normalising Ukraine-Hungary may become possible

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán believes that normalisation of Ukraine-Hungary relations is possible only after Russia's war against Ukraine ends.

"As soon as war ends, it will be possible to return to normal and peaceful diplomatic, economic and other relations. So, key to everything, key to Ukraine-Hungary relations is peace. If there is peace, then Ukraine-Hungary relations will be normalised," Orbán said after the first meeting of the Peace Board in Washington, as quoted by MTI, a Hungarian news agency.

He added that he does not see any chance of improving relations while war continues. "The reason for this is that we are on the side of peace and Ukraine wants to drag everyone into war," Orbán stated.

Earlier, Orbán at a press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio complained that Ukraine is supposedly interfering in Hungarian elections and financing opponents of his Fidesz party.

On 27 January, Hungary's Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine's ambassador in Budapest for talks over alleged attempts by Kyiv to influence results of parliamentary elections in the country in favour of the opposition Tisza party.

US President Donald Trump publicly supported Orbán ahead of parliamentary elections on 12 April.