Hungary's prime minister arrived in Madrid for a two-day summit of heads of state and government of NATO member states, starting on 29 June, his press chief, Bertalan Havasi, told Hungary's state news agency (MTI). Ahead of the official start of the summit on Wednesday, PM Orban also met Andres Pastrana, the president of CDI, comprised of the world's Christian democratic and conservative parties.

On Tuesday evening, King Philip VI of Spain received the leaders arriving in Madrid at a gala dinner in the Presidential Palace.

According to Hungary’s position to be relayed by PM Orban at the NATO summit, Hungary supports peace efforts instead of the escalation of the war in Ukraine.

Rapid ceasefire and peace talks are the recipe against war inflation in Europe and the impending economic crisis caused by the war,

PM Orban’s press chief said.

Ahead of the official start of the NATO summit, Mr Orban on Wednesday also met with Andres Pastrana, the president of CDI, a political international comprising the world’s Christian democratic and conservative parties.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, and the participants agreed that the escalation of the war in Ukraine must be prevented, Ukrainian people must be supported, and Ukrainian refugees must be received.

Talking about the NATO summit, PM Orban stated that Hungary does not support any proposals which could potentially drag NATO and Hungary into this conflict. This is a war between Russia and Ukraine, and NATO is a defence alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Tuesday evening that Turkey had agreed to support the NATO membership of Sweden and Finland.

We now have an agreement that paves the way for #Finland & #Sweden to join #NATO. I thank Presidents @RTErdogan & @Niinisto & @SwedishPM for the constructive spirit that made this historic decision possible. pic.twitter.com/dCEeoNjkOl

— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) June 28, 2022

The two countries are expected to receive an official invitation to join NATO as early as Wednesday, Mr Stoltenberg said. It must be approved by all 30 NATO member states, but Sweden and Finland can become full members of the alliance within a couple of weeks.