Xi calls for Ukraine ceasefire as Hungary’s Orban makes surprise stop in China

Chinese leader says the two nations will maintain communication on Ukraine as their peace efforts are largely ‘aligned’

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Monday. Photo: China Daily via Reuters

Published: 9:00pm, 8 Jul 2024Updated: 9:54pm, 8 Jul 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv during talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday.

Hungary’s leader was making a surprise visit to Beijing as part of his “peace mission” for Ukraine. It came after Orban visited Kyiv and Moscow for the first time since Russia invaded its neighbour in 2022.

Budapest has stepped up mediation efforts after taking over the rotating presidency of the European Council this month. But its proposal for a ceasefire and negotiations did not attract much interest from the two warring states last week.

The Central European nation maintains close ties with both Russia and China and supports Beijing’s peacemaking efforts on Ukraine, including a proposal with Brazil in May calling for conditions to be created for direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

Hungarian leader Viktor Orban is greeted by Hua Chunying, Chinese foreign vice-minister, after arriving in Beijing. Photo: X/@PM_ViktorOrban

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