Leaders from nearly 50 European nations and international organisations gathered in Budapest for the European Political Community (EPC) summit on November 7, the largest diplomatic event in the country’s history.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his first visit to Budpest, pushed for continued support for his country as EU leaders tried to pull together after Trump's roaring comeback to the White House.

The ECP will be followed by an informal summit of EU leaders on Friday, also held in the Puskas Arena, Hungary’s largest football stadium, a symbolic venue.

The one-day summit in Budapest provided EU leaders with an opportunity to address the outcome of the US elections, with host Prime Minister Viktor Orban using the event to highlight his close ties to Donald Trump.

The election victory of the Republican was met with jubilation by the radical rightwing ruling party, which could bolster Orban's populiat agenda and ease the isolation he faces in Europe, at least in the short-term, analysts noted.

Leaders focused on issues ranging from security and connectivity and illegal migration and the future of transatlantic relations. They also emphasised that Europe should take on its part of the responsibility and maintain unity.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to embrace "strategic autonomy", advocating for a Europe less reliant on American military protection, echoing calls from leaders like EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the EU to continue strengthening self-sufficiency in security and economics.  

The reelected president of the Commission also stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine "It is in all our interests that the autocrats of this world get a very clear message that there is not the right of might, that the rule of law is important," said von der Leyen, who later had a phone call with Trump.

European Council President Charles Michel agreed that the continent needed to become less reliant on the United States, saying "we have to be more masters of our destiny".

Zelenskiy called on European leaders to resist pressures for peace concessions to Russia, warning that such compromises would be "suicidal" for European security

A ceasefire currently would not offer a solution as it would not guarantee the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty and independence, he told reporters after the EPC meeting.
"I respect the opinion of those European leaders who urge the quickest possible ceasefire, but current conditions do not allow for it”, he said, referring to host Viktor Orban’s position.

Later on X, he tweeted: "Showing weakness or selling out Europe's positions won't buy a just peace."

Orban, at a joint press conference with the Albanian PM, criticised the EU for "entering the war without defining what constitutes victory".

Without such a definition, "how do you gauge how long you must fight?" "We never asked: should Crimea also be taken back? ... What does victory look like?"

When asked whether President Vladimir Putin was pro-war or pro-peace, he did not give a clear answer.

Regarding the planned €50bn loan for Ukraine financed jointly by the EU and the US, Orban said the question arose: if America did not take part in future financing, then how would Europe solve this independently, if at all?

Commenting on his relationship with Trump, he said his close alliance with the president-elect presented a huge opportunity for Hungary "as never before, which we will make use of it".

Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar seized the opportunity to present himself as a serious challenger to Orban. The leader of the new Tisza Party was spotted in a Budapest downtown restaurant with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.  The 43-year-old newcomer also shared photos on social media of talks with Macron.

"It was an honour to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron as leader of the Hungarian opposition," he wrote.