Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin has sparked controversy and condemnation from European leaders. Despite Hungary assuming the EU’s rotating presidency. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that NATO was informed in advance of Orban’s trip, emphasizing that Orban was representing Hungary, not NATO.
Orban, known for maintaining close ties with Russia amid European Union sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, described his Moscow visit as a “peace mission.” This diplomatic move comes shortly after his visit to Kyiv, where he discussed a potential ceasefire to accelerate peace negotiations.
In response to the criticism, Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo labeled Orban’s trip as “disturbing news,” while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk tweeted a firm stance: “Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized any appeasement towards Putin, advocating instead for unity and determination among EU member states to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, clarified that Orban’s Moscow visit was solely within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia, amid concerns from Western allies about potential negotiations over Ukraine’s Russian-occupied territories.
During the meeting in Moscow, Putin expressed willingness to discuss Orban’s proposed Ukraine settlement plan, which includes conditions that Kyiv and Western allies view as unacceptable pre-conditions for negotiations.
Despite Orban’s controversial diplomatic maneuvers, his role as head of the Council of the European Union for the next six months gives him significant influence as a representative of Europe, despite strained relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Orban’s visit to Kyiv, his first in 12 years, underscored efforts to mend past disagreements and focus on future diplomatic engagements, while his actions continue to draw scrutiny and debate within European political circles.