Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will travel to Moscow tomorrow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a report by Hungarian broadcaster Radio Liberty, citing a government source in Budapest. During his term, Orban has already met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, the same government source confirmed.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Orban has been hesitant to approve significant Western arms and aid packages for Ukraine, setting him apart from other European Union and NATO leaders. Last month, Putin stated that Russia would only end the war if Ukraine met specific conditions, including giving up NATO aspirations and ceding four territories claimed by Russia, including Crimea. Ukraine has rejected these conditions as unreasonable and tantamount to surrender.
During his visit to Kiev last month, Orban presented Zelensky with a ceasefire proposal aimed at halting hostilities with Russia. The meeting between Orban and Putin in Moscow is significant in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the complex dynamics between Russia, Ukraine, and Western powers.
Orban’s visit to Moscow comes amid growing tensions between Russia and Western powers over issues such as cybersecurity and human rights violations in Belarus. It also raises concerns about Hungary’s close ties with Russia and its potential impact on EU relations.
The Hungarian government has defended its relationship with Putin as necessary for maintaining stability in Eastern Europe. However, critics argue that Orban’s reluctance to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine is part of a broader effort to appease Moscow and maintain good relations with Putin.
As tensions continue to rise between Russia and Western powers, it remains unclear how Orban’s visit to Moscow will impact the outcome of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine or Hungary’s relationship with its European partners.