00:00What are the European leaders calling for and why has Hungary and why is it the only country not to sign the EU statement on Ukraine?
00:10Essentially, as far as the European Union's position is concerned when it comes to these peace talks and achieving a lasting, meaningful peace for Ukraine,
00:21there are really three pillars to consider. The first is that they are supportive of a meaningful dialogue, have been supportive of transatlantic unity in finding a diplomatic solution,
00:34support for Ukraine, as well as putting further pressure on Russia.
00:39The concern from some in Brussels, some European leaders, is what this meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin
00:49will mean for all three of those pillars. Some analysts I've been speaking to in recent days really see Donald Trump as somewhat of a momentum gauge.
01:00Obviously, we know that several months ago, the ire of the US President was against Vladimir Zelensky.
01:05We remember that incredibly explosive blow up between the two leaders in the Oval Office earlier this year.
01:13In recent days, though, Donald Trump has been critical of Russia's president, even threatening further sanctions.
01:20There are fears here in Brussels that the pendulum could swing again after this face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin and the US President.
01:29So that'll be something that European leaders will be keen to stress to Donald Trump, that that should not happen.
01:36When it comes to Hungary's position, well, they have consistently been an outlier.
01:39They've called for more peace talks, for more face-to-face discussions with Russia, have been against the notion of more sanctions on Moscow.
01:48The message from Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, very simple indeed.
01:53He says that the EU shouldn't be setting conditions on these talks between the Russian and US leaders, talks that the EU simply wasn't invited to.
Be the first to comment