Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned peace with Ukraine on Friday, because the U.S. and European Union criticized the Hungarian chief for visiting Moscow.
Putin instructed Viktor Orban on Friday that Ukraine should successfully capitulate if it needs peace.
Putin was internet hosting Orban – the friendliest chief within the EU to Moscow – for talks on the Kremlin, described by the Russian president as a “really useful, frank conversation” on the battle in Ukraine.
A string of EU officers blasted the Hungarian prime minister’s shock journey, saying it threatened to undermine the 27-member bloc’s stance on the battle and confused that he was not representing Brussels.
The pair “talked about the possible ways of resolving” the Ukraine battle, Putin stated in remarks after a bilateral assembly.
The Kremlin chief repeated his demand that Ukraine withdraws all its troops from areas that Moscow has annexed and stated Kyiv was “not ready to drop the idea of waging war until a victorious end”.
Putin stated initially of the talks that he wished to “discuss the nuances that have developed” over the battle in Ukraine with Orban, who visited Kyiv earlier this week.
Orban, in flip, stated he had realized “positions are far apart” between the 2 sides.
“The number of steps needed to end the war and bring about peace is many,” he stated.
The go to got here days after Hungary took over the EU’s rotating presidency and Putin instructed Orban he anticipated him to stipulate “the position of European partners” on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian authorities lambasted the assembly, stressing they’d no hand in its planning.
“The decision to make this trip was made by the Hungarian side without any agreement or coordination with Ukraine,” Kyiv’s overseas ministry stated in an announcement.
No EU mandate
European Union leaders lashed out at Orban over the journey.
“Appeasement will not stop Putin,” European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X.
“Only unity and determination will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
EU overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell stated in an announcement that Orban’s “visit to Moscow takes place, exclusively, in the framework of the bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia.”
“Orban has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow,” he added.
The EU has firmly opposed Russia’s navy offensive in Ukraine, imposing 14 rounds of unprecedented sanctions on Moscow.
“That position excludes official contacts between the EU and President Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister is thus not representing the EU in any form,” Borrell stated.
“It is worth recalling that President Putin has been indicted by the International Criminal Court and an arrest warrant released for his role in relation to the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.”
EU Council chief Charles Michel had earlier reiterated the frequent stance that “no discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine”.
The White House additionally criticized the journey as “counterproductive” and the NATO navy alliance, of which Hungary is a member, distanced itself.
Orban’s go to “will not advance the cause of peace and is counterproductive to promoting Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated.
NATO head Jens Stoltenberg stated Orban had knowledgeable the alliance of his journey however confused the Hungarian chief was “not representing NATO at these meetings. He’s representing his own country”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov instructed Russian state TV the go to had been Orban’s concept and Russian officers solely heard in regards to the journey on Wednesday – a day after Orban had visited Kyiv.
Hungary’s six-month EU presidency offers the central European nation sway over the bloc’s agenda and priorities for the subsequent six months.
Orban’s go to to Moscow comes days after he made a shock journey to Kyiv, the place he urged Ukraine’s management to work in the direction of a speedy cease-fire with Russia.
The Hungarian chief on Friday insisted that peace can’t be achieved with out dialogue.
“If we just sit in Brussels, we won’t be able to get any closer to peace. Action must be taken,” Orban stated throughout his common interview on Hungarian state radio, when requested about his go to to Ukraine on Tuesday.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed disbelief at Orban’s Moscow journey, whereas Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo known as it “disturbing news.”
The go to is the primary to Moscow by a European chief since a visit by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in April 2022.
Orban and Putin final met in October 2023 in Beijing, the place they mentioned vitality cooperation.
Source: www.dailysabah.com