Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday that Budapest is supportive of China's peace strategy for Ukraine and considers its relevance. 

"We need a ceasefire and the beginning of peace negotiations. Hungary calls for peace in all international forums, I see that most of the states support peace. Hungary cannot isolate itself from most of the world," Orban said, speaking in parliament before the start of the spring session. "Therefore, we consider China's peace plan important and support it."  

It’s been a year since Russia attacked Ukraine. We are not naive. We know that the prospects of a mutually acceptable peace deal in the #RussiaUkraineWar are dim. But the first step is surely a ceasefire. This is the only way to save lives. pic.twitter.com/B2pDoDxwUR

— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) February 24, 2023

On February 24, China issued a 12-point position paper on Ukraine that highlighted all the steps required to reach a "political settlement". 

These include respecting the sovereignty of all countries, abandoning the Cold War mentality, ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, resolving the humanitarian crisis, protecting civilians and POWs, keeping nuclear power plants safe, reducing strategic risks, facilitating grain exports, stopping unilateral sanctions, keeping industrial and supply chains stable, and promoting post-conflict reconstruction.

Because the plan did not specify that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine, the West accused China of an attempt to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty at the expense of Russia's.

Beijing has already dismissed these claims as false, with top diplomat Wang Yi saying China will continue to stand firmly on the side of dialogue and peace, and will not seek to fuel escalations nor remain a bystander.

"Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis," the document reads, adding that China will play a "constructive role," without offering details.

Wang Yi met with Viktor Orbán "Together with Hungary, China wants to [...] actively promote the democratization of international relations and mulitpolarization of the world."
🇨🇳 messaging towards 🇭🇺 is increasingly similar to 🇨🇳🇷🇺 narratives against the liberal world order. pic.twitter.com/Rd3zHK7PqW

— Bartosz Kowalski (@BartekKowalski1) February 20, 2023

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