Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently visited Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a significant event given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meeting, described by Putin as a “really useful, frank conversation,” focused on the situation in Ukraine, highlighting the divergence in positions between Russia and Ukraine. It was too frank according to globalists who want nothing but the war in Ukraine to continue.
🇭🇺🇷🇺 Viktor Orban shared his opinion on Vladimir Putin after their recent meeting in Moscow to discuss prospects for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine.
At the start of the month, Hungary assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council. Orban stated that he sees his… pic.twitter.com/mViQXaPHnS
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) July 6, 2024
Orbán’s visit, which was not coordinated with the European Union or Ukraine, drew sharp criticism from several EU Leftist officials. They stressed that Orbán did not represent Brussels or the collective stance of the EU on Ukraine. Putin reiterated his demand that Ukraine withdraw its troops from regions annexed by Russia, asserting that Kyiv remains committed to continuing the conflict until achieving victory.
During the talks, Orbán acknowledged the vast differences in the positions of the two sides, noting the numerous steps needed to achieve peace. This visit came shortly after Hungary assumed the EU’s rotating presidency, raising concerns about Hungary’s influence on the bloc’s agenda over the next six months.
The Ukrainian government strongly condemned Orbán’s visit, emphasizing that it was arranged without their input or agreement. This sentiment was echoed by EU leaders, who reaffirmed the bloc’s firm opposition to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and stressed the importance of unity and determination in achieving a just and lasting peace.
‼️🇷🇺🇭🇺 #Putin promised to introduce #Orban with the details of Moscow’s proposals for a peaceful settlement in #Ukraine, and to listen to his proposals.
This is the man the West wants you to believe “can’t be negotiated with”! pic.twitter.com/va4VdveIle
— Maimunka News (@MaimunkaNews) July 5, 2024
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell clarified that Orbán’s visit was purely within the context of Hungary’s bilateral relations with Russia and that he did not carry any mandate from the EU Council. The EU has imposed numerous sanctions on Russia and maintains that official contacts with Putin are excluded. The White House also criticized Orbán’s trip as counterproductive, stating that it does not advance the cause of peace or support Ukraine’s sovereignty.
NATO, of which Hungary is a member, distanced itself from Orbán’s actions. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that Orbán had informed the alliance of his trip but emphasized that the Hungarian leader was not representing NATO.
The visit also sparked varied reactions within the EU. While some leaders, like Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, expressed strong disapproval, others like Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico supported Orbán’s initiative, with Fico stating he would have accompanied Orbán if health permitted.
Orbán’s visit to Moscow follows his recent trip to Kyiv, where he urged Ukrainian leaders to pursue a rapid ceasefire with Russia. The Hungarian Prime Minister insisted that peace cannot be achieved without direct dialogue and criticized the lack of actionable steps from Brussels. He is right of course, but this is under the assumption that the people he is speaking to want peace. This is not a fact in this strange world we now live in.
This meeting marks the first visit to Moscow by a European leader since April 2022, when Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer traveled to Russia. Orbán and Putin previously met in October 2023 in Beijing, where they discussed energy cooperation.
#NATO Secretary General #Jens_Stoltenberg:
“Of course, #Viktor_Orbán is not representing #NATO at these meetings. He’s representing his own country.”
“I welcome the fact that we have found a way to avoid any blockages from #Budapest to more support from #NATO to #Ukraine.” pic.twitter.com/KJ6wZk1968
— Putin’s IBS (@kardinal691) July 6, 2024
Orbán’s actions reflect his unique position within the EU, often taking stances that diverge from the broader consensus, raising questions about Hungary’s future role in EU policy and its relationship with both Russia and Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. We are all hoping for peace, but for this to actually happen we all fear it will take President Trump to do the job with Viktor Orbán. Trump is expected to win the election in November, but will not take office until January of 2025.
Major Points:
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on the Ukraine conflict.
- The visit was not coordinated with the European Union or Ukraine, leading to strong criticism from several EU officials.
- Putin reiterated demands for Ukraine to withdraw from annexed regions, while Orbán acknowledged the significant differences between the sides.
- The EU and the White House criticized the visit as counterproductive and emphasized that Orbán did not represent the EU or NATO.
- The visit highlighted Orbán’s unique stance within the EU and raised concerns about Hungary’s future role in EU policy amidst the ongoing conflict.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
