ROME -Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán began at around 15:45 and lasted about one hour and a half. There was no press inside, just a official statement afterwards which was full of meaningless phrases as an attempt to feign a consolidated approach to challenges such as the war in the Ukraine. 

 The statement read that: "The two Heads of Government hope to continue to strengthen political dialogue and coordinate with each other on the main international issues. In particular, they discussed the situation in the Middle East, their support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, and their commitment to reconstruction in view of the next Ukraine Recovery Conference that will be hosted by Italy in July 2025.”

 It is unclear exactly what “just and lasting” means, with it not being out of the question to suggest that it could mean two completely different things to the two different leaders. While Italy is ready to continue to send weapons to Ukraine, DPM Tajani said yesterday on TV that Zelensky “may have to accept some conditions, should Russian forces continue to advance”. The Hungarian leader does not want to continue to send weapons to Ukraine.

 There was also the same jargon as ever about strengthening relationship between the two countries. Whereas for many other countries this will be about economic pathways, with two right-wing leaders there was a strong message about tackling illegal migration. The statement about the meeting “The meeting also made it possible to reaffirm the importance of combating irregular migration. The two Heads of Government called for a strengthening of cooperation with the countries of origin and transit, to address the root causes and to combat trafficking and human trafficking in order to prevent loss of life and irregular departures.

 While this meeting took place, therew was a protest staged in front of the Palazzo Chigi. People held up placards reading : “No to Putin's servants in Europe”, “no to the Hungary model”, “Orban you are not welcome”, “the Hungary model that democracy takes away.”

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