Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will travel to Moscow tomorrow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reported by Hungarian broadcaster Radio Liberty. The meeting is significant in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the complex dynamics between Russia, Ukraine, and Western powers.
Orban began his rotating EU presidency on July 1 and has already met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his term. However, Orban has been notably hesitant to approve significant Western arms and aid packages for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. This has set 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, Orban presented Zelensky with a ceasefire proposal aimed at halting hostilities with Russia.
Orban will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on his visit to Moscow. As a journalist it is important to note that this meeting may have implications for future relations between Hungary and Russia as well as its stance on the conflict in Ukraine.