Explosive trip to Russia - Borrell: Orban has no mandate from Brussels for Moscow visit
EU High Representative Josep Borrell has criticized a possible Moscow visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. "Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Moscow will only take place in the context of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia," Borrell shared. Hungary currently holds the rotating EU Council Presidency, but it does not represent the Union externally. This responsibility lies with EU Council President Charles Michel at the head of state level and with Borrell at the ministerial level.
Orban fueled speculation about a visit to Moscow with a post on the X platform this morning without mentioning a possible Russian visit. "Peace cannot be made from a comfortable chair in Brussels," he wrote.
"Prime Minister Orban has not received a mandate from the EU to visit Moscow," Borrell emphasized. The EU position on Russia's war against Ukraine reflects numerous conclusions of the European Council and excludes official contacts between the EU and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Therefore, Orban does not represent the EU.
Borrell also reminded that Putin has been indicted by the International Criminal Court and an arrest warrant has been issued against him regarding his role in the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
Orban visited Kiev for the first time since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 on Tuesday. There, he urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider a ceasefire in the war with Russia.
- Despite EU High Representative Josep Borrell's criticism, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban still intends to visit Moscow, as suggested in a post on the X platform.
- During his current tenure as the rotating EU Council Presidency, Orban does not have a mandate to represent the EU externally in his upcoming visit to Moscow.
- Borrell's comments follow the EU's stance on Russia's war against Ukraine, which excludes official contacts between the EU and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Orban's visit to Moscow will take place amidst ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, a position that contrasts with the EU's position, which has been consistently expressed multiple times through conclusions of the European Council.
- While in Kiev, Orban urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider a ceasefire in the war with Russia, a move that could potentially impact the broader European context.
- Borrell also highlighted the International Criminal Court's indictment and arrest warrant against Putin for his role in the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
- The EU's stance on Russia, particularly during the conflicts in Ukraine, has been a point of contention and continues to be a significant issue discussed within the broader context of Europe and the EU.
