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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has completed a controversial visit to Moscow, where he looked to seal deals on energy and maintain his ties with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin – a move that puts Hungary further outside of the European consensus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Whereas the EU is maintaining that Russia must pay for the damaged caused to its neighbour and is currently engaged in active diplomatic efforts to sway US President Donald Trump in favour of Kyiv, Orbán accused the Europeans of wanting to extend the war in Ukraine, which he argued cannot be won militarily.
Orbán’s three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Putin, the two men’s fourth since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, saw him double down on his business-like approach to Russia, sealing a deal for more energy despite EU efforts to unplug from it.
“Hungary’s energy supply has been secured,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said after the visit.
Hungary won a one-year exemption from sweeping US energy sanctions on Russian oil during a visit to the White House earlier this month.
‘Middle finger for Brussels’
Orbán’s visit to Moscow could be considered a hostile act against the EU, according to Jacob Kirkegaard, an expert with the Bruegel think-tank, who argues that Hungary is sabotaging the EU’s efforts to land a fair peace deal for Ukraine.
By going solo, Budapest is also undermining the EU’s unity on key decisions when it comes to diversifying away from Russian fossil fuels, maintain pressure on Russia through sanctions and integrate Ukraine’s economy to the bloc.
“It’s a middle finger for Brussels,” Kirkegaard said. “He is meeting with the public enemy number one of the rest of the EU, cementing continued energy supplies in direct contradiction of the EU’s plan to phase out Russia energy and undermining their joint efforts.”
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Orbán has called for a ceasefire and peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine while arguing against sending European money to fund Ukraine’s military and economy. During a visit to the US this month, he accused EU leaders of being “pro-war”.
Kirkegaard said Hungary makes an important European asset for Russia.
“This is about splitting the EU’s position on the war in Ukraine and the relationship with Russia of the European Union. Politically, this is undoubtedly a very beneficial relationship, sort of a Trojan horse for Putin inside the EU.”
The EU has proposed the use of around €140 billion of Russian state assets immobilised in Europe to help Ukraine. Hungary opposes the plan.
Ahead of his visit to Moscow, Orbán praised a controversial prospective peace plan negotiated between the US Russia without direct input from Ukraine or the EU.
While the plan was initially condemned by Europeans for being too pro-Russian, Hungary hailed the effort and called for a direct channel of communication with Moscow.
In exchange for his public admiration of the Trump administration, Orbán received a re-election endorsement from the US President. Trump described him as a great leader who prioritises his national interests, and said he could count on “100% of my support”.