Putin’s Hungarian ally Orban angers EU over ‘peace mission’ to Moscow | Wilnesh News

Russia’s closest European ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, traveled to Moscow on Friday to meet with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, a move that drew the ire of the European Union.

Orban, whose country takes over the EU’s rotating presidency on July 1, is a self-proclaimed “peacemaker” whose government has repeatedly opposed (but mostly allowed through) EU and NATO support for its war-torn neighbor Military and financial assistance measures to Ukraine.

While most other Western countries have completely severed ties with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Hungary maintains working relations with Russia. Nato set a landmark precedent last month by agreeing to allow Budapest to stay out of the alliance’s deepening support for Ukraine in exchange for Hungary not blocking such a move.

Orban told Putin during his visit on Friday that Hungary would soon become the only country in Europe capable of dialogue with Russia and Ukraine, according to Reuters and Russian state news agency TASS.

This trip to Moscow is Orban’s self-proclaimed “peace mission,The Hungarian leader made his first wartime visit to Ukraine on Tuesday, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

After the contact, Zelensky said that the two men held talks on “the most fundamental issues in our neighborly relations – trade, cross-border cooperation, infrastructure and energy”, noting that the dialogue could provide the basis for “new bilateral relations.” “Lay the foundation. Documents between the two countries”.

According to Reuters, Orban also emphasized Budapest’s intention to improve relations with Ukraine, while calling on Zelensky to consider a ceasefire in hostilities with Russia to speed up peace talks.

“In Brussels you can’t find peace in a comfortable armchair.” Orban says in a social media post on Friday. “Even if the EU Presidency does not have the mandate to negotiate on behalf of the EU, we cannot stand idly by and wait for the war to miraculously end. We will be an important tool to take the first step. #Peace. This is what our peace mission is all about.

Several peace initiatives have been put forward – including Zelensky’s ten-point plan, China’s proposal and Putin’s own terms for negotiations – but have not gained support.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry said Kyiv was not informed of Orban’s trip to Moscow and that it had “no agreement or coordination with Ukraine”. According to a statement from Google Translate.

“We remind everyone that for our country the principle ‘no agreement on Ukraine without Ukraine’ remains inviolable and we call on all countries to strictly abide by this principle,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said, adding, ” The only realistic way to restore the situation in Ukraine is “just peace” which remains Zelensky’s peace formula.

Orban’s trip to Moscow also drew the ire of European officials, who questioned his authority to represent the EU.

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell on Friday explain The visit “falls entirely within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia” emphasize Orban does not represent the European bloc in this engagement.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also mentioned Orban’s visit warn “Appeasement cannot stop Putin. Only unity and determination can pave the way for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

In accordance with EU guidelines, the EU Presidency lasts for six months.”Host meetings at all levels In the Council, helps ensure the continuity of the EU’s work in the Council.

Orban took office earlier this week with the goal of “making Europe great again” – a slogan reminiscent of former US President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan.