Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that after trips to Moscow and Kyiv he realized that the positions of both sides regarding the war of aggression unleashed by the Russian Federation were “too far apart.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban went to Moscow after visiting Kyiv. Orban calls himself a peacemaker and says he wants to use Hungary’s six-month EU presidency to intensify peace negotiations. The success of these efforts is still hard to believe.
Talking about peace
Orban said that during the meeting with Putin he asked him three questions about Russia’s aggression against Ukraine: what Putin thinks about existing peace initiatives, what he thinks about a ceasefire and peace negotiations and when they can be implemented, Putin’s opinion about the post-war European security system.
Orban did not reveal the Kremlin leader’s answers to these questions.
“Over the past two and a half years, we have realized that we cannot achieve peace without dialogue and diplomatic channels,” said the Hungarian Prime Minister.
According to Orbán, “Hungary is one of the few” that can talk to both sides of the war started by the Russian Federation, and that is why he is in Kyiv and that is why he is now in Moscow.
“I felt that the positions are very far from each other, that many steps need to be taken to establish peace, but the first important step towards dialogue has already been taken,” added the Hungarian prime minister.
What Putin said
“You probably know about my speech to the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently in Moscow. It sets out our position about a possible peaceful settlement. And, of course, I am ready to discuss the nuances with you,” said Putin.
We are talking about the Kremlin’s ultimatum, that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the entire territory of four Ukrainian regions, and that Kyiv must announce that it has no plans to join NATO.
He also added that he has other “peace conditions” that are the subject of consideration in “possible joint work.”
Reaction to Orban’s actions
Before the Kremlin negotiations began, Putin said he accepted Orbán not only as Hungarian prime minister, but also as the EU Council presidency, a role that has been transferred to Hungary since July 1.
But before this, European authorities warned that Orban was not authorized by the European Union to conduct any negotiations with Moscow.
EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell emphasized that Orbán “does not represent the European Council in any form” in the negotiations with Putin and that the EU’s overall position does not include official contact between the EU and Putin.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the decision to travel to Putin was made by the Hungarian side without agreement or coordination with Ukraine.
“We remind you that for our state the principle of “no agreements with Ukraine without Ukraine” remains unshakable and we call on all states to strictly adhere to it,” the department said in a statement.
The ministry noted that the only realistic path to restoring a just world remains the “peace formula”
US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman said Orban cannot consider himself a “peacemaker” until he demands that Russian leader Vladimir Putin end the war on terms that respect sovereignty and integrity of the territory of Ukraine.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.