Putin and Orban discuss "resolving the crisis"
With his unexpected visit to Kremlin chief Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban outmaneuvers the rest of the EU. On site, they reportedly had an "open and helpful" discussion about the Ukraine war, according to Putin's statements following the meeting. However, the positions are still "widely separated," Orban added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban held talks in Moscow, according to their own accounts, about potential ways to resolve the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Putin stated that he had conducted an "open and helpful" discussion. The topic was about finding means to "resolve the crisis," he added.
Orban, in turn, stated that the positions were "widely separated." He also mentioned: "Many steps are necessary to end the war and bring peace." Regarding the "resumption of dialogue," Orban considered his visit "the first important step," he said. "I will continue this work."
Putin confirmed after the meeting that Russia was ready for "peace talks" if Ukraine gave up the territories claimed by Moscow. He emphasized that a "full withdrawal of all Ukrainian soldiers from the People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, and the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson" was necessary, Putin said. He had declared the annexation of these regions in September 2022. However, accepting Putin's conditions would mean Ukrainian capitulation.
Diplomats don't believe Orban
Hungary recently took over the EU Council Presidency. Representatives of other EU countries, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, emphasized that Orban did not represent the EU during his Moscow visit. The NATO, of which Hungary is a member, also made it clear: Orban traveled in his capacity as Prime Minister of a country and did not represent the Western military alliance, said the outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. There is no evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to seek peace.
Orban has increasingly adopted a pro-Russian and critical stance towards Ukraine in recent times. Already in the previous October, he was photographed shaking hands with Putin on the sidelines of a China trip. Other EU governments do not view Orban's image as a peacemaker favorably. Diplomats believe that Orban's primary goal is to continue to secure favorable Russian gas and oil supplies. Hungary's energy supply is heavily dependent on Russia: 85% of Hungary's gas imports come from Russia; for oil, it's 65%.
Despite the skepticism from EU diplomats and NATO, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban visited Moscow for a surprise meeting with President Putin. During the meeting, they discussed potential solutions for the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Orban acknowledged that the positions were far from agreed upon, but considered his visit a crucial step towards resuming dialogue.
