Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has arrived in Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing potential ways to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This visit comes amid criticism from European Union officials, who argue that Hungary does not have a mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU. Budapest recently assumed the EU’s rotating presidency.
Orban dismissed the need for a formal mandate to promote peace, emphasizing that his discussions should not be considered official negotiations. He acknowledged that Hungary has limited political influence and that any major peace talks would likely be led by larger powers. Nevertheless, he expressed hope in fostering cooperation between Ukraine and Russia to work towards a ceasefire and potential peace talks.
During his visit, Orban also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev, urging him to consider an immediate ceasefire. However, this proposal was rejected by Zelensky, who had doubts about the effectiveness of a ceasefire due to past experiences. Instead, Ukraine’s president insists that the conflict should be resolved according to his own ‘peace formula,’ which includes a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from territories claimed by Kiev, reparation payments, and an international war crimes tribunal for Russia’s leadership.
Moscow has rejected Zelensky’s plan as unfeasible, maintaining that any peace negotiations must take into account the “realities on the ground.” Last month, President Putin outlined his own set of terms for initiating ceasefire talks, which include a full Ukrainian withdrawal from all Russian territories and legally binding guarantees that prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.