By V. E. K. Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Bilateral Talks Focus on Conflict Resolution and Strengthening Relations
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. The visit has drawn criticism from European Union leaders, who emphasized that Mr. Orban is not representing the EU in these talks. Mr. Orban is the only EU head of government to have maintained close ties with the Kremlin following its full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Describing the trip as a "peace mission" in a post on X, Mr. Orban's visit comes shortly after a trip to Kyiv, where he spent three hours with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. Both visits were carefully choreographed to position Mr. Orban as a global statesman rather than an outsider. Hungary has recently assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union, a position it will hold until the end of the year.
In Moscow, Mr. Orban remarked, "Hungary will slowly become the last European country that can talk to everyone." The Kremlin indicated that the talks between the two leaders would last at least two or three hours but could extend as necessary. Officials are accompanying them, but there is a possibility of one on one discussions.
In footage of the meeting, Mr. Putin said Mr. Orban was visiting "not just as a long time partner" but as a European Union representative. However, European leaders have openly condemned the Moscow trip, emphasizing that Mr. Orban is not representing the EU. "The EU rotating presidency has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU," Charles Michel, President of the European Council, wrote on X. "The European Council is clear, Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine."
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen also voiced her disapproval, stating, "Appeasement will not stop Putin." Mr. Putin told Mr. Orban he would be happy to discuss "the nuances" of his recent Ukraine ceasefire plan, which includes an offer of talks if Ukraine withdraws from four regions Russia claims to have annexed. This area includes territory that Russia does not currently occupy. President Zelensky has long maintained that Ukraine will not negotiate with Moscow until Russian forces leave all Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
Earlier this week, Mr. Orban visited Kyiv, advocating for a quick ceasefire to speed up peace negotiations. President Zelensky, who has had frosty relations with Mr. Orban, did not publicly respond to the proposal. Mr. Orban has previously warned that Ukraine cannot win on the battlefield due to Russia's advantage in resources and manpower.
Since Russia’s full scale invasion began in February 2022, Mr. Orban has been a vocal critic of Western support for Ukraine and has slowed the agreement on a €50bn EU aid package designed to support Ukraine's defense against Russia. Mr. Orban's recent visit to Kyiv was his first in 12 years, while he has met Mr. Putin multiple times during that period. During their joint appearance, the body language between Mr. Orban and President Zelensky was notably cold, and neither took questions from the media.
As head of the Council of the European Union for the next six months, Mr. Orban now holds an influential role as a figurehead for Europe. His visit to Kyiv, on his second day in that role, emphasized the need to resolve previous disagreements and focus on the future.
