Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends the European Political Neighborhood (EPC) summit on the Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom on July 18, 2024.
Anadolu | Getty Photographs
OXFORD, England — Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelenskyy on Thursday hit out at European leaders who “betray” Kyiv’s pursuits in a thinly veiled assault towards Hungarian President Viktor Orban and his shadow peace talks.
Zelenskyy instructed European leaders that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin had up to now didn’t sow disunity inside the area, however famous that EU member states — and one weak hyperlink particularly — may but bow to temptation or blackmail.
“He [Putin] could attempt to method you or go to a few of your companions individually, making an attempt to tempt or stress you, to blackmail you in order that certainly one of you betrays the remaining, weakening our unity,” he stated in opening remarks on the European Political Neighborhood summit at Blenheim Palace, England.
The Ukrainian chief stated that it was right down to particular person leaders to determine easy methods to act and “what legacy to go away.”
However, in an obvious reference to Orban’s current assembly with Putin in Moscow, he famous that those that act towards the continent’s pursuits shouldn’t be thought of a part of group issues.
“If somebody in Europe tries to resolve points behind others’ backs and even on the expense of another person, if somebody desires to make some journeys to the capital of warfare to speak and promise one thing towards our frequent pursuits — or the expense of Ukraine and different nations — then why ought to we contemplate such an individual?,” he stated.
“The EU and NATO may handle all their points with out this one particular person,” he stated.
“Putin can’t maintain relationships with actually robust leaders. That is our benefit nevertheless it stays our benefit solely so long as we’re united,” he added.
Hungary’s overseas ministry didn’t instantly reply to a CNBC request for touch upon the remarks.
Zelenskyy was addressing the EU’s 27 member states, in addition to 20 different heads of state from throughout the area, throughout opening remarks on the European Political Neighborhood Summit, which was established in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Orban, an ally of Putin, met with the Russian chief earlier this month, in a visit which drew condemnation from Europe, coming simply days after his go to to Kyiv.
Hungary, which is each a member of the EU and NATO, took over the rotating EU presidency earlier this 12 months.
“The peace mission continues. Second cease: Moscow,” he stated in a social media put up on the time.
Talking to CNBC outdoors the summit Thursday, Orban stated he believed it was his job to persuade leaders to “shift from the pro-war coverage to a pro-peace coverage.” In separate feedback to reporters, Orban stated his sentiments have been shared by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Recalling a Mar-a-Lago assembly final week, which he on the time dubbed “peace mission 5.0,” the Hungarian prime minister stated that Trump had indicated he would instantly do “the whole lot in favor of peace” if elected in November.
He added that Trump had urged that the “monetary burden” between the U.S. and Europe can be totally different if he have been again in energy. “We must always perceive it right here,” Orban stated forward of the EPC talks.
