Crucial Diplomatic Move: Hungary’s Viktor Orban Meets Vladimir Putin in Russia Amid Rising Tensions
Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary made a rare visit to Moscow on Friday, becoming one of the few Western leaders to meet with President Vladimir Putin since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The visit, which follows Orban’s recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, has ignited discord within the European Union.
Zoltan Kovacs, Orban’s spokesman, described the trip as part of the Hungarian leader’s “peace mission.” Meanwhile, Dmitri S. Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, stated that the discussions would cover Ukraine “among other things.”
Orban, criticized in Europe for his far-right policies and ties to authoritarian leaders like Putin, aims to promote peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. However, Ukrainian leaders have refused talks, asserting that Putin seeks their surrender.
This marks Orban’s first meeting with Putin since October 2023 and the first official EU leader visit to Russia since Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s trip in April 2022. Orban’s visit is particularly contentious as Hungary currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz disclosed he was unaware of Orban’s visit and emphasized that Orban was not representing the European Union. Josep Borrell Fontelles, the EU’s top diplomat, reiterated that Orban’s trip was strictly within the scope of Hungary-Russia bilateral relations, not on behalf of the EU.
EU officials swiftly condemned the unannounced visit. European Council President Charles Michel stressed that the rotating presidency has no mandate to negotiate with Russia, reaffirming that “Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed his disbelief and opposition in a direct social media post to Orban.
While Western leaders have largely boycotted meetings with Putin, leaders outside the West remain engaged. Chinese President Xi Jinping met Putin recently, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Moscow next week.
Christopher F. Schuetze contributed reporting.
Original Story https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/05/world/europe/orban-putin-meeting-russia-hungary.html
Category : International Relations,Politics and Government,Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022),European Union,Orban, Viktor,Hungary,Ukraine,Russia,Putin, Vladimir V
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