Hungarian Prime Minister to Meet Russian President Putin in Moscow: Orban’s Meeting with Putin Raises Concerns over Ukraine Conflict

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow tomorrow, according to a report by Hungarian broadcaster Radio Liberty, citing a government source in Budapest. During his tenure as rotating EU president, which began on July 1st, Orban has already met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He will be joined by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto for the meeting with Putin.

Orban has been notably reluctant among European Union and NATO leaders to approve large Western arms and aid packages for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Putin has set conditions for ending the war, including Ukraine abandoning NATO ambitions and giving up regions claimed by Russia, as well as Crimea. Ukraine has rejected these demands as unreasonable and tantamount to capitulation.

During his visit to Kiev, Orban, who has close ties with Putin, presented Zelensky with a ceasefire proposal aimed at halting hostilities with Russia. The dynamics between Orban, Putin, and Zelensky continue to be closely watched in the ongoing conflict.