European Council chief responds to Orban's letter on 'peace mission' in Ukraine

In his letter to the EU, Viktor Orbán said that Donald Trump is ready "immediately" to act as a peace broker in the Russia-Ukraine war if he is elected US president. In response to the letter, European Council President Charles Michel told Orban that he had no EU mandate to negotiate the war in Ukraine. This was reported by Reuters on 16 July.

Hungary, which maintains close ties with Russia, took over the rotating presidency of the European Council for six months earlier this month.

The rotating presidency of the European Council has no role in representing the EU on the international stage and has not received a mandate from the European Council to participate on behalf of the EU," Michel told Orban in a letter.

Charles Michel, a former Belgian prime minister, also rejected Orban's claim that the EU had pursued a "pro-war" policy in Ukraine.

It is quite the opposite. Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is the victim exercising its legitimate right to self-defence," Michel wrote.

Many European leaders fear that Trump may end US support for Ukraine and push Ukraine towards peace talks, which would result in Moscow gaining significant Ukrainian territory and Putin getting an incentive for further military adventures.

Earlier Socialportal reported that Viktor Orban said in a letter to European Council President Charles Michel that US presidential candidate Donald Trump, if he wins the election, is immediately ready to become a mediator in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.