EU Leaders Criticize Hungarian Prime Minister’s Visit to Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

EU leaders have voiced strong criticism of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent visit to Russia, labeling it as lacking a mandate to represent the EU. During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Orban positioned himself as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict, despite the EU’s explicit distancing from the visit. The encounter is scrutinized for potentially undermining EU unity and for Orban’s controversial stance towards EU decisions regarding Ukraine.

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, discussing peace proposals for Ukraine.
• Orban’s visit coincides with Hungary assuming the rotating presidency of the EU, a position EU leaders assert does not grant him authority to negotiate on behalf of the EU.
• Putin expressed willingness to discuss peace, blaming Ukraine and its Western allies for the lack of progress, while Orban offered to act as a mediator.
• EU leaders and officials strongly criticized Orban’s trip, with some labeling it as appeasement and others suggesting Orban’s actions do not represent EU positions.
• NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Orban had notified NATO of his visit, but clarified that Orban does not represent NATO either.
• The visit has sparked concerns over EU and NATO unity, particularly in light of Orban’s previous stances that have diverged from collective decisions on aid for Ukraine.

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