Hungarian PM defends Orban’s visit to Moscow

(MENAFN) Hungary’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, has publicly defended Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s decision to travel to Moscow, according to reports.

Orban held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, focusing on Ukraine, trade relations, and energy cooperation, even though the EU continues to uphold a diplomatic boycott of Russia.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Szijjarto pushed back against criticism from what he described as “European pro-war politicians.” He insisted that Budapest conducts its foreign affairs independently of outside approval. “We, Hungarians, do not need permission or a mandate from Brussels, Berlin, or anywhere else for any foreign talks. We pursue a sovereign foreign policy, and our decisions are determined by national interests – whether you like it in Brussels or not,” he wrote.

Reactions from some EU leaders were sharply critical. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters that Orban traveled to Moscow “without a European mandate,” while Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob argued that the Hungarian leader “has not been playing for the European team for some time.”

Hungary has consistently declined to assign sole responsibility for the Ukraine conflict to Russia and has repeatedly expressed readiness to help mediate potential peace talks between Moscow and Kiev. Budapest has also refused to supply weapons to Ukraine, warning that continued escalation risks a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.

During their meeting at the Kremlin, Putin thanked Orban for his “reasonable position on the Ukraine issue.” Orban in turn underlined Hungary’s long-term reliance on Russian energy, stating that “stable deliveries from Russia remain the cornerstone of Hungary’s energy security – in the past, now, and in the future.”

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