Hungarian PM Viktor Orban meets President Zelensky in Ukraine, juggling his divisive pro-Russian stance with newfound EU presidency responsibilities and a promise to 'Make Europe Great Again.'

Orban's visit, his first to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale war began, comes at a crucial juncture as Hungary takes on the rotating presidency of the EU Council. While Orban claims Hungary will act as 'honest brokers,' his entanglements with Putin and opposition to EU support for Ukraine cast a long shadow over these peace talks. As Orban channels his inner Trump with a call to 'Make Europe Great Again,' the sincerity and effectiveness of Hungary's role under his leadership remain questionable.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's arrival in Ukraine is surrounded by a swirl of both anticipation and skepticism. Scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the visit is pegged as a potential step towards dialogue and improved relations. However, the sight of Orban stepping onto Ukrainian soil has many wondering if he's bringing along genuine intentions for peace or just a suitcase full of mixed messages from Budapest.

Topping the agenda for Orban and Zelensky's meeting are possibilities for achieving peace and addressing the various issues in Hungarian-Ukrainian bilateral relations. Although this sounds like a noble endeavor, Orban's track record offers little comfort. The Hungarian leader has often been in the spotlight for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a knack for blocking EU initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine.

Orban's tenure as the EU Council President begins under a controversial banner. His catchphrase, 'Make Europe Great Again,' borrows heavily from former U.S. President Donald Trump, hinting that the Hungarian PM sees himself not just as a political leader but as a beacon for change—albeit a highly contentious one. Given his stance, some European nations are bracing for a rocky six months.

The new EU Council President pledges that Hungary will act as 'honest brokers' during his term. While this proclamation sounds reassuring, critics raise eyebrows, pointing to Hungary's recent democratic backsliding under Orban. The country has been accused of dismantling democratic institutions and acting as a significant hurdle to key EU policies, leading many to question Hungary's ability to mediate impartially. It's like putting a fox in charge of the henhouse and expecting it to manage the chicken inventory fairly.

'We've come to offer an olive branch, but our hands are more tied than they'd like to admit,' a source close to Orban admitted, hinting at the complex dynamics shaping Orban's diplomatic overture. The prime minister's previous actions at the United Nations, where Hungary supported Russia and rejected EU sanctions following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, leave a lasting imprint of doubt. 'Seems like Orban is trying to juggle peace talks while holding a hot potato,' the source quipped.

In a notably off-script moment, Orban once assured Putin that Hungary had never desired to oppose Russia. This cozying up to Moscow didn’t exactly endear him to pro-Ukraine factions within the EU. Early this year, he also stalled 50 billion euros in new aid to Ukraine, a move that required weeks of intensive discussions among EU leaders to resolve.

These diplomatic machinations won't be Orban's only hurdles during his EU presidency. The European Political Community (EPC), which includes both Ukraine and Hungary, is set to convene on July 18 in the UK. This upcoming meeting will provide yet another stage for Hungary to either prove its mettle or falter. For now, Ukrainian and European leaders are maintaining a cautious, perhaps skeptical, optimism. The spotlight on Orban's performance may add a bit of suspense—almost like watching a reality show, but with much higher stakes.

If there was ever a subplot in European politics, Orban's balancing act between Eastern influences and Western commitments is it. Orban claims to be an agent of peace and an advocate for European greatness, yet his steps are watched with an eagle eye, not just in Kyiv but across the continent. Whatever the outcomes of his talks with Zelensky, the resulting headlines will reveal much about the direction of EU-Ukraine relations in the near future.

Whether Orban uses this presidency to reshape European discourse or merely to reinforce his existing alliances remains to be seen. But one thing's for certain: neither his supporters nor his critics should expect a straightforward journey—unless you're riding in one of those Budapest trams, of course. The Hungarian PM's reputation and Europe’s stability are hanging in that diplomatic balance.