President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a brief but intense conversation with the individual poised to impede Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU.

This encounter took place during the inauguration of Argentina's new president on Sunday, where Zelensky met Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Orban has been openly opposing the advancement of Kyiv's EU application, raising concerns that this incident could lead to a diplomatic crisis later this week.

The dialogue between President Zelensky and the figure often regarded as an EU "bad boy" remains cryptic, with only professional lip-readers potentially deciphering their exchange. This development precedes a pivotal week for Ukraine's war efforts.

On Tuesday, President Zelensky is set to travel to Washington DC in an attempt to salvage a $60 billion US defense aid package. Despite President Joe Biden's urging for the approval of these funds, the aid has become entangled in domestic, partisan politics.

This visit marks Zelensky's second trip to the White House since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced in February 2022, with the previous visit occurring in September of the preceding year.

The progress of the aid package currently faces hurdles in Congress, encountering resistance from Republicans who argue for allocating more funds to domestic security at the US-Mexico border.

A recent Senate vote resulted in the blockage of a package that included the crucial funding.

Additionally, on Thursday, EU leaders will convene in Brussels with the intention of endorsing the commencement of formal "accession" talks for Ukraine. This marks the next phase in Ukraine's journey toward full EU membership, although success is far from guaranteed.

A €50bn (£43bn; $53.8bn) package of financial assistance - in loans and grants - was also due to be signed off.

However, Viktor Orban has threatened to derail both, sparking frustration in EU capitals and anger in Kyiv.

Mr Orban's critics call him a "mouthpiece" for Vladimir Putin, having maintained ties with the Russian president despite Moscow's decision to launch an all-out, bl**dy invasion of Ukraine.

Despite nodding through successive sanctions packages against Moscow, Mr Orban has also spoken out against sending more money and weapons to Ukraine.

He claims that EU chiefs are "shoving" Ukraine's accession "down our throats" and has called for a "strategic discussion" on the bloc's overall approach.

He has even described the aspiring member as "one of the most corrupt countries in the world".

It is an allegation that sparks outrage in Kyiv, given Mr Orban has been accused of overseeing democratic backsliding in his own country.

Some believe Hungary's leader is using Ukraine as a bargaining chip, to try and extract more money out of the EU.

It's a high-stakes week for Ukraine, and officials I speak to in Kyiv say that, for now, the decision on membership talks will more deeply affect morale than EU economic assistance.

President Zelensky wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that it would have a "significant impact on the motivation of Ukrainian society and the army".

In truth there are EU nations - aside from Hungary - who have reservations about expanding the bloc.

But according to one Brussels diplomat, it is Budapest that stands alone, for now, in holding up discussions: "It's really a 26 versus one issue."

Noted

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