Orbán sparks controversy in the EU due to visits to Russia and China

The President of the European Council, Viktor Orbán, has sparked controversy and concern within the bloc with a series of visits to Russia and China that have raised fears of possible unauthorized agreements and the Hungarian leader's influence in key diplomatic affairs. His recent tour, dubbed "Peace Mission 3.0," took him to meetings with Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Xi Jinping in Beijing, following a surprise visit to Ukraine where he proposed a ceasefire in the conflict with Russia. European authorities have expressed their discomfort and disapproval of Orbán's actions, emphasizing that he does not have a mandate to negotiate on behalf of the European Union and that Russia is considered the aggressor in the conflict with Ukraine. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, was emphatic in stating that any discussions about Ukraine must involve Ukraine itself, without unauthorized intermediaries. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, joined the criticism of Orbán, highlighting the unease within the bloc over his behavior. The meeting of the ambassadors of the Twenty-Seven in Brussels resulted in a reprimand of the Hungarian leader, with the exception of Slovakia, a country that maintains a close relationship with Budapest. Analysts like Enrique Banús have pointed out that Orbán's motives may be linked not only to his foreign policy but also to his domestic political situation, where he faces challenges such as corruption and the emergence of dissent within his party. His travels could be interpreted as an attempt to project a global leadership image to maintain his position in the country. The lack of clarity in Orbán's representation, who leads the most influential right-wing group in the European Parliament, and his proximity to figures like Putin have raised concerns about the possible entry of Russian influence into the European Union through the Hungarian leader. However, experts like Banús consider that Orbán lacks the necessary prestige to achieve this goal, despite leading a new alliance with figures like Marine Le Pen and Matteo Salvini. Furthermore, concerns about China's increasing influence in Europe add to the political landscape, given the strategic role that the Asian country has been acquiring in the region. NATO has pointed to China as a key facilitator in Russia's war against Ukraine, increasing tensions and the perception of threat in the Euro-Atlantic sphere. In this context, Orbán's figure emerges as a factor of instability in European diplomacy, challenging the unwritten norms of representing common interests over national ones during the EU Council presidency. As criticism and concerns intensify, the European community faces the challenge of managing the repercussions of the Hungarian leader's actions in an increasingly complex and volatile geopolitical context.