Vibes-based diplomacy
On Monday, Xi Jinping met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Beijing.
Some context: The pair recently met in May, during Xi’s European tour, when they elevated Sino-Hungarian ties to the level of All-Weather Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the New Era.
Orbán wanted to talk to Xi about Ukraine, having flown to Beijing following meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kyiv and Moscow, respectively.
- His next stop is the NATO Summit in Washington, where Ukraine will feature heavily on the agenda.
Orbán laid it on thick, calling China (Reuters):
- "A key power in creating the conditions for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war."
Xi fell back on his greatest hits (Xinhua):
- “The international community [should] create conditions…for the resumption of direct dialogue and negotiation.”
Xi said that goal was only achievable if:
- “All major countries inject positive rather than negative energy”
Far out, dude.
Get smart: If Orbán thought he could convince Xi to play a more active role in mediating the Ukraine crisis, he thought wrong.
- China’s official position has barely changed since the beginning of the war.
- Instead, Orbán’s trip has reinforced his status as a pro-Russian troublemaker and drawn sharp criticism from other EU leaders.
Get smart: Beijing’s deepening ties with Budapest are more likely to set off EU alarm bells than provide a convenient backdoor for China to influence EU policy.