Orbán and Putin’s meeting in Moscow sparks serious diplomatic conflict in Brussels

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin has caused significant controversy across Europe.

Many officials and leaders in Brussels feel that the Hungarian government has misused its six-month presidency of the EU, which began on Monday, according to Portfolio. The European Commission stated that it had no prior knowledge of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s trip to Moscow.

The timing of the visit has provoked harsh criticism from European leaders, who assert that Orbán does not have the authority to negotiate on behalf of the EU. European Council President Charles Michel emphasised that the country holding the EU presidency has no mandate to negotiate with Russia on behalf of the EU, according to Politico, stressing that any talks on Ukraine should include the direct involvement of the Ukrainian authorities.

European Commission concerned about Orbán and Putin meeting

Viktor Orbán and Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia on 5 July 2024. Photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Benko Vivien Cher

The European Commission has expressed concern that Orbán’s unilateral diplomatic efforts could undermine the unity needed to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The implications of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s visit, including its potential impact on EU-Russia relations and future diplomatic engagements, remain a matter of ongoing scrutiny and debate in European political circles.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed her scepticism about the effectiveness of such unilateral diplomatic efforts, stating on social media that “Appeasement will not stop Putin”. She also noted that the Commission had not been informed in advance of Orbán’s visit.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who has been nominated as the EU’s next chief diplomat, criticised Orbán for using his EU presidency to create confusion.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell made it clear that Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow is strictly within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia and does not represent the EU as a whole: “Prime Minister Orbán has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow. The EU position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is reflected in many European Council conclusions,” he said in his statement.

Orbán’s visit to Moscow also raises questions about the European Commission’s forthcoming visit to Hungary, the European Commission stated, according to Eurologus.

Although Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow is his first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it is not his first meeting with Putin since the start of the war, as the leaders previously met in China last October. During Friday’s meeting, Orbán stressed the importance of the occasion, acknowledged the challenges, and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet Putin in these difficult times.

Portfolio reports that the meeting in the Kremlin concluded with Viktor Orbán stating that Hungary will soon be the only EU member state able to negotiate with all parties involved in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. Putin responded positively to Orbán’s remarks, referring to the ongoing discussions on the nuances of the war.

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