Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The meeting took place days before Russia's scheduled talks concerning a United States initiative to conclude the conflict in Ukraine.
Discussions and Summit Proposals
President Putin acknowledged what he termed Orban's "balanced position" regarding the situation in Ukraine. He also extended gratitude to the Hungarian Prime Minister for proposing Budapest as a potential location for a future Russia-U.S. summit involving former President Donald Trump. Putin stated that Trump had previously suggested this option, and Hungary had agreed. Plans for a Budapest peace summit were reportedly put forth last month but subsequently postponed, with reports indicating Russian non-compliance with its specific demands for a conflict resolution.
Context of the Visit
This marks another meeting between Orban and Putin since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Orban's Fidesz party is scheduled to contest parliamentary elections in April. Hosting a high-profile international summit could potentially influence his re-election prospects.
The Hungarian leader stated the visit's objective was to ensure Russian energy supplies for Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia for the upcoming winter. Earlier in the month, Orban secured an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian fuel, applicable for the duration of his tenure as Prime Minister.
Orban's Position on the Ukraine Conflict
Since the 2022 invasion, Orban has consistently stated Hungary's alignment with peace efforts. He has publicly articulated that "Europe has decided to go to war in Ukraine." He has also expressed strong support for former President Trump's 28-point peace proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Following the proposal's emergence, the Orban government and its affiliated media outlets have characterized certain European Union leaders as "war-mongering" for their attempts to modify the plan to address Ukrainian objections.
Diplomatic Engagements
The meeting in the Kremlin included other Russian officials, such as Yuri Ushakov, who is a member of Russia's negotiating team with the U.S.
In a recent letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Orban advocated for immediate and unconditional peace negotiations. He called for direct talks between the EU and the Kremlin. Additionally, he reiterated his opposition to further EU financial assistance for Ukraine and rejected the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense efforts.