Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been pushing for a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, said Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that peace talks are only possible after Ukraine effectively surrenders.
“We can’t get closer to peace if we stay in Brussels. We have to take action,” Orban told Hungarian state radio in a regular interview after the visit.
Orban made back-to-back high-profile visits this week to Kiev and Moscow just days before next week’s NATO summit in Washington. Hungary on Monday began its six-month term as EU presidency, a role that rotates among all member states. Orban’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell quickly issued a statement stressing that Orban had no powers from the EU and “does not represent the EU in any way”.
Ukrainian Navy commander says Russian warships are sailing from Crimean base in Black Sea
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo He described the visit as “disturbing” news.He posted on social media platform X that the visit “ignores the obligations of the EU Presidency and undermines the interests of the European Union.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (left) enter the hall during a joint press conference at the Kremlin’s Senate Palace in Moscow, Russia, July 5, 2024. Hungarian Prime Minister Orban arrived in Moscow after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. (Contributor/Getty Images)
Orban claimed he had a “really fruitful and frank conversation” with Putin about Ukraine, and Putin said the two discussed “possible ways of resolving” the conflict, and reiterated his demand that Ukraine withdraw all its troops from the annexed territories.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted that Russia had no knowledge of Orban’s visit until his camp contacted him the day before his arrival.
French election preview: Polls show right-wing parties leading in runoff, opponents urge strategic voting
But Orban acknowledged that after his two visits he saw “very different positions” between Kiev and Moscow, adding that “there are many steps that need to be taken to end the war and bring peace.” EuraActive reported.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) shake hands during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 2, 2024. Orban is visiting Ukraine for the first time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. (Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed that Orban’s visit was “without any agreement or coordination with Ukraine.”
Leaders of NATO member states are meeting in Washington DC next week to mark the alliance’s 75th anniversary and to tackle the issue of how to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, already in its third year.
In this joint photo published by Russian state news agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 5, 2024. (Valery Sharifulin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
In a pre-summit call, the White House outlined its goals for the week, including announcing new steps to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses and military, aimed at sending a “strong signal” to Putin that NATO will outlast him if necessary.
Brazil’s leftist president worries Biden can’t beat Trump: ‘I think Biden has a problem’
“We stand united in support of democratic values and will send an important message to the world, including through our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,” White House spokesman David K.
But Orban’s visit has angered allies, particularly EU leaders who see his visit to Moscow as threatening their negotiating position with Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (left) attend a joint press conference at the Kremlin’s Senate Palace in Moscow, Russia, on July 5, 2024. (Contributor/Getty Images)
“Such talks would end Hungary’s presidency before it had actually begun.” An EU diplomat told Reuters:“Hungary doesn’t seem to understand its role. The skepticism of EU member states was unfortunately justified. It’s all about promoting the interests of Budapest.”
Click here to get the FOX News app
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote to X that “appeasement will not stop Putin” and that “only unity and determination will pave the way to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said the visit was “counterproductive” for NATO and “does not advance the cause of peace.”
