Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, despite lacking a mandate from the European Union.
During a post-meeting press conference, Putin described the discussions as “frank and useful,” focusing on the situation in Ukraine. He reiterated that Moscow’s peace proposals should be central to any negotiations. Putin expressed gratitude to Orban for attempting to restore dialogue between Russia and Europe, but stated that Kyiv was not yet willing to halt the conflict. Orban noted that many steps were needed to end the Russia-Ukraine war and emphasized that “points of view remained far from each other in Kyiv and Moscow.”
Orban’s visit to Moscow followed his earlier trip to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Hungary, now holding the rotating EU presidency, aims to advocate for an end to the fighting in Ukraine.
Putin suggested that Orban had come as a representative of the European Council, despite condemnation from several European officials. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell clarified that Orban had no mandate from the EU for the visit, emphasizing that it was a bilateral matter between Hungary and Russia.
Orban, known for his close ties to Putin, has often obstructed the EU’s efforts on financial and military aid for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. Hungary has also criticized the EU’s formal membership talks with Kyiv, abstaining rather than vetoing the move.
Borrell highlighted Putin’s indictment by the International Criminal Court for his role in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that “appeasement will not stop” Putin, stressing that unity and determination were essential for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.
In Kyiv, Orban urged Zelenskyy to pursue a “time-limited” ceasefire with Russia to expedite peace talks. However, Zelenskyy called on Orban to support Kyiv’s peace efforts alongside international partners. European Council President Charles Michel reiterated that no discussions about Ukraine could occur without Ukraine’s involvement.
Orban insisted on the necessity of dialogue for achieving peace, criticizing the passive approach in Brussels. His visit to Moscow marked the first by an EU leader since Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s trip in April 2022. Orban and Putin had last met in October 2023 in Beijing, discussing energy cooperation.