Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has made a controversial diplomatic trip to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This meeting happened just days before planned international talks about the war in Ukraine. This visit is the latest example of the Hungarian leader acting independently, which has often caused disagreements with his partners in the European Union and NATO.
The meeting was widely shown on Russian state television. During their discussion, President Putin said he appreciated Hungary's "balanced view" on the situation in Ukraine. While the Kremlin described the talks as positive, other European leaders were quick to express their anger and concern. They see this as another case of Hungary moving away from the shared foreign policy goals of the EU. A senior German politician, Friedrich Merz, said the visit happened without any European permission, showing the wider frustration with Orbán's solo approach to dealing with Russia.
Apart from the political aspects, the Hungarian delegation also secured important economic deals. Hungary's Foreign Minister confirmed that the two countries agreed on continuing Russian energy supplies to Hungary and on moving forward with the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant. These agreements highlight how Hungary is prioritizing its energy security, even while other European nations are trying to reduce their dependence on Russian energy.
The leaders also discussed possible ways to find a peaceful solution for Ukraine. President Putin said he liked Orbán's idea that Budapest could host future talks between Russian and American officials. Orbán repeated that Hungary is ready to help by providing a location for peace talks, positioning his country as a potential mediator.
However, observers noticed that the atmosphere during the meeting seemed quite formal and at times awkward. At one point, Orbán accidentally bumped into Putin after greeting other officials, which body language experts suggested might show some underlying tension.
This visit reinforces Orbán's reputation as one of Putin's most reliable partners in Europe, a position that continues to create friction within Western alliances. His strategy of talking to Moscow while remaining a NATO member is a difficult balancing act that puzzles many of Hungary's European partners.