Lukashenka Asks Hungary's Orban To Visit, Seeks Dialogue With EU

Authoritarian Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka has invited Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to visit Belarus, which has faced increasing isolation over the government's crackdown on dissent and its support of Russia's war with Ukraine. Lukashenka extended the invitation during a meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who arrived in Belarus earlier this week. Lukashenka expressed readiness “for a dialogue with European countries” and invited Orban “to discuss serious matters.” Orban’s press chief said the prime minister would consider the invitation once he returns from a European Union summit in Brussels.