‘Peace mission’: Hungary’s Orban meets Putin in Russia, defying EU leaders | Russia-Ukraine conflict Information

Proper-wing nationalist makes journey with no official mandate from the European bloc, inflicting outrage.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is assembly Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, with no mandate from the European Union.

“The #peace mission continues. Second cease: #Moscow,” Orban posted on X on Friday, his journey to the Russian capital coming days after a first cease in Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Hungary took over the rotating EU presidency this month, with Orban saying he needs to make use of it to advocate for an finish to the combating in Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2022.

However EU overseas affairs chief Josep Borrell mentioned Orban had not obtained any mandate to go to Moscow, consigning the go to to “the framework of … bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia”.

The Hungarian chief “is thus not representing the EU in any type,” Borrell mentioned in an announcement.

Orban, who’s seen because the closest European chief to Putin, has repeatedly blocked and delayed the 27-member bloc’s efforts on monetary and navy assist for Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia.

Hungary has additionally angered Ukraine by criticising the EU opening formal membership talks with Kyiv, though it ended up abstaining reasonably than vetoing the transfer.

Borrell additionally mentioned that Putin “has been indicted by the Worldwide Legal Courtroom and an arrest warrant launched for his position in relation to the compelled deportation of youngsters from Ukraine to Russia”.

European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Friday that “appeasement is not going to cease” Putin. “Solely unity and willpower will pave the trail to a complete, simply and lasting peace in Ukraine,” she mentioned on X.

In Kyiv on Tuesday, Orban urged Zelenskyy to work in direction of a “time-limited” ceasefire with Russia to hurry up peace talks.

The Ukrainian chief as a substitute referred to as on Orban to again Kyiv’s steps to work for peace at the side of worldwide companions.

No mandate

Whereas Hungary could maintain the EU’s presidency for six months, European Council President Charles Michel identified on Thursday that it had “no mandate to interact with Russia on behalf of the EU”.

“The European Council is obvious: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the sufferer. No discussions about Ukraine can happen with out Ukraine,” he posted on X.

The EU has firmly opposed Russia’s conflict on Ukraine, imposing 14 rounds of unprecedented sanctions on Russia over the invasion, which Orban has repeatedly sought to melt.

Orban insisted on Friday that peace can’t be achieved with out dialogue.

“If we simply sit in Brussels, we gained’t have the ability to get any nearer to peace. Motion have to be taken,” Orban mentioned on Hungarian state radio when requested about his Tuesday go to to Ukraine.

His Moscow go to can be the primary by an EU chief since Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in April 2022. Orban and Putin final met in October 2023 in Beijing, the place they mentioned vitality cooperation.