Hungary's Prime Minister Orban arrives in Moscow for meeting with Putin
EU High Representative Josep Borrell stated that Orban had "no mandate" from the other 26 member states for the visit. The EU stance excludes official contacts with Putin. "The Hungarian prime minister represents the EU in no way," Borrell emphasized. He also referred to the fact that since March 2023, an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been in effect against Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in an online service X, "Appeasement will not stop Putin." She added: "Only unity and determination will pave the way for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine."
Orban himself wrote on X before the trip's confirmation: "From the comfortable chair in Brussels, one cannot make peace." Although he had no mandate to negotiate on behalf of the EU, "we cannot retreat and wait for the war to end miraculously. We will be an important instrument in making the first steps towards peace."
Orban continues close relations with Moscow despite the Ukraine war and goes against the EU line. Sanctions against Russia and EU financial aid for Kiev have been repeatedly delayed by the pro-Russian prime minister. He also criticized the opening of EU membership talks with Ukraine. The right-wing prime minister had already met Putin in October 2023 at a summit in Beijing, which also caused outrage in the EU.
Hungary took over the rotating EU Council Presidency on Monday. The following day, Orban was the first prime minister to travel to Kiev since the Russian invasion in February 2022 and held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During the talks, Orban urged Zelenskyy for a time-limited ceasefire with Russia. Zelenskyy rejected this and emphasized his country's desire for a "just peace."
- Despite EU High Representative Josep Borrell stating that Orban has no mandate to engage with Putin, Hungary's prime minister still decided to travel to Moscow.
- The meeting between Orban and Putin in Moscow raised concerns within the EU, as it goes against the bloc's stance of excluding official contacts with the Russian leader.
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in her statement on an online service, highlighted the importance of unity and determination to bring a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace to Ukraine.
- Vladimir Putin, the Russian head of government, has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, issued since March 2023.
- Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, criticized the EU's approach to the Ukraine war, claiming that it is impossible to make peace from a "comfortable chair in Brussels."
- Orban's pro-Russian stance has resulted in repeated delays in implementing sanctions against Russia and providing EU financial aid for Kiev.
- Following Hungary's assumption of the rotating EU Council Presidency, Orban became the first prime minister to travel to Kiev after the Russian invasion and held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Orban urged Zelenskyy to consider a time-limited ceasefire with Russia during these talks, but Zelenskyy firmly rejected the idea and emphasized Ukraine's desire for a "just peace."
