Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is on his way to Russia, just days after his surprise meeting with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time in 14 years and since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell confirmed Orbán’s visit to the Russian Federation. The meeting is taking place on July 5, the fifth day of Hungary taking the presidency of the Council of the EU.
“Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow takes place, exclusively, in the framework of the bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia,” stated the European External Action Service (EEAS) website.
“That position excludes official contacts between the EU and President Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister is thus not representing the EU in any form,” the EEAS added.
Finnish PM Petteri Orpo called Orbán’s visit to Moscow “disturbing news”.
“His visit would show disregard for the duties of the EU Presidency and undermines [the] interests of the European Union,” Orpo wrote.
