Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban Shocks Europe with Controversial Putin Meeting on Ukraine War

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban’s surprise visit to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday sparked widespread condemnation and anger among European officials. He is seen as the closest European leader to Putin, who met with the Russian President to discuss prospects for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine.

This visit came a few days after he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, where he encouraged Ukraine to work towards a “time-limited” ceasefire with Russia to speed up peace talks. However, Zelenskyy called on Orban to back Kyiv’s steps to work for peace in conjunction with international partners.

The Hungarian leader’s trip to Moscow has been widely condemned by European officials, who argue that he does not have a mandate to represent the European Union in negotiations with Russia. According to EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban’s visit to Moscow falls solely under the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia, and he is not representing EU in any capacity during this trip. Borrell emphasized that he has not received a mandate from EU Council to visit Moscow. 

The White House also criticized this trip as “counterproductive” and NATO distanced itself from the meeting, with Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stating that he is “not representing NATO at these meetings” but rather his own country.

Orban’s Controversial Stance on the Ukraine War

Orban has consistently obstructed, postponed, and diluted EU initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine and enforcing sanctions on Moscow for its actions in the conflict. He has also angered Ukraine by criticizing EU’s decision to formally open accession negotiations with Kyiv, even though Hungary ultimately abstained from vetoing the move rather than blocking it outright. 

Despite the backlash, he has defended his decision to meet with Putin, arguing that peace cannot be achieved without dialogue. He argued that simply staying in Brussels would not bring them any closer to peace, and that action needs to be taken instead.

However, his position on the Ukraine war has been widely criticized by other European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Orban had given him no advance notice about his travel plans and that the European Council is represented by its President, Charles Michel, in terms of foreign policy.

Polish PM Donald Tusk reacted with shock to this sudden visit by Hungarian leader to Moscow, while Finnish PM Petteri Orpo described it as concerning and unsettling. The German Government also canceled a scheduled meeting between German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her Hungarian counterpart in Budapest on Monday, citing Orban’s freelance trip to Russia.

Kremlin’s Response and Potential Implications for Orban

The Kremlin welcomed Orban’s visit, with Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that the trip was Orban’s idea and that Russian officials only learned about it the day after he had visited Kyiv. Despite European officials condemning his Moscow trip, Putin claimed that he had come to Russia as a representative of the European Council, a suggestion that was dismissed by European leaders.

This meeting has raised concerns about potential divisions within EU over its stance on the Ukraine war. While EU has firmly opposed Russia’s military offenses and imposed 14 rounds of unprecedented sanctions on Moscow, Orban’s actions suggest that there may be cracks in this united front.

Moreover, this visit to Moscow comes at a time when EU is facing other challenges, such as the ongoing energy crisis and the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The controversy surrounding the Hungary PM’s meeting with Putin could further strain relations within the bloc and divert attention from other pressing issues.

Conclusion on Orban’s Divisive Actions

Viktor Orban’s meeting with Putin in Moscow has sparked a major controversy among European leaders, who argue that the Hungarian PM does not have a mandate to represent EU in negotiations with Russia. His controversial stance on the Ukraine war, which has included obstructing EU initiatives to support Ukraine and enforce sanctions on Russia, has drawn widespread criticism from other European leaders.

The meeting raises concerns about potential divisions within EU over its stance on the Ukraine war and could further strain relations within the bloc. As EU continues to grapple with the fallout from the conflict and other pressing challenges, the controversy surrounding Orban’s actions serves as a reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape and the need for a united and coordinated approach to addressing global crises.