Orban heads to Moscow after meeting Zelenskyy in Kyiv
5:16 PM EDT, July 4, 2024
Media outlets have reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will visit Moscow on Friday to meet with Vladimir Putin. A few days ago, Orban met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
VSquare service indicates that the information about the Hungarian Prime Minister's visit to Russia comes from multiple independent sources, including officials from Western and Central-Eastern European countries. Meanwhile, Radio Free Europe cites sources in the Hungarian government.
Panyi Szabolcs from VSquare stated on social media that the Hungarian Prime Minister will be accompanied by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
The media reports were commented on social media by European Council President Charles Michel. He emphasized that Hungary, which assumed the rotating presidency of the EU Council in July, does not have the mandate to cooperate with Russia on behalf of the EU.
"The European Council is clear: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussion about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine," he wrote.
Donald Tusk also addressed Orban directly through social media. "The rumors about your visit to Moscow cannot be true, can they?" wrote the Polish Prime Minister.
Orban made a proposal to Zelenskyy. He wants to help Ukraine
During a press conference held after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Orban expressed his belief that peace talks could significantly accelerate if fighting on the front lines were halted.
The Hungarian Prime Minister desired to improve relations between the two countries. "We want to build solid relations between our countries, we want to sign a global cooperation agreement with Ukraine, similar to the agreements we have with our other neighbors," Orban said.
The Hungarian Prime Minister also declared that his country is ready to support the modernization of the Ukrainian economy and intends to help Ukraine during its presidency of the EU Council. "I wish Ukraine all the best and assure you that during our presidency, we will do everything possible to support you," Orban stressed.
