A surprise meeting is taking place today, November 28, in Moscow, where the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, is set to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit comes in the context of escalating tensions in Ukraine, generated by the peace plan promoted by Donald Trump.
According to reports, Orbán’s decision breaks the existing stance among European leaders, who insist on intensifying pressure on Russia through new sanctions and the diplomatic isolation of Moscow. At the same time, European officials are trying to influence the Trump administration to negotiate a peace agreement that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Hungary is one of the few European countries that have maintained close diplomatic relations with the Kremlin since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022. Orbán argues that Ukraine cannot win the war militarily and accuses several European leaders of wanting “war, not peace”.
The Hungarian Prime Minister has ignored recommendations from the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, who asked to avoid bilateral meetings with Russian officials. In this context, Orbán emphasized that the main objective of the visit to Moscow are energy issues and the war in Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Hungary has consistently refused to provide military or financial support to Ukraine, arguing the need to maintain relations with the Russian Federation. Orbán opposes sanctions imposed on Moscow, considering them ineffective.
Also, the Hungarian Prime Minister has blocked Ukraine’s attempts to join the European Union, citing the risk of war expansion. His position has been rejected by most European leaders, who support the sanctions and call for an unconditional ceasefire from Russia before any negotiations.
Last weekend, Orbán sent a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, requesting European support for the peace talks promoted by Donald Trump and for direct dialogue with Russia. During a visit to Washington, Orbán told Trump that “the problem is the Europeans and Brussels”, whom he claims would like the conflict to continue.