Russia is waiting for Péter Magyar’s first concrete steps

Russia is mutually willing to continue dialogue with Hungary, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in Moscow on Tuesday.

Peskov was responding to a statement by Péter Magyar, Tisza Party prime minister-elect, who said he would answer a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin but had no intention of initiating one himself. “For now, we can note with satisfaction that there appears to be a willingness to continue pragmatic dialogue. In that case, we reciprocate that willingness,” Peskov said.

Addressing Magyar’s remark that Russia and Hungary would never be friends, the Kremlin spokesman told the Vesty news service: “We have heard various statements. He [Magyar] previously said he was willing to negotiate with Putin but that [Russia and Hungary] would never be friends. In politics, there is a difference between making statements when you are not yet seated in the leader’s chair and adopting a more pragmatic approach once you are.”

When asked how the Kremlin viewed the election winner’s initial statements about a potential Hungarian referendum on Ukraine’s EU accession, Peskov replied: “We will wait for Hungary’s new government to form and for its first concrete steps.”

If you missed our previous, Russia-related articles:

• Putin ready to build relations with Péter Magyar despite calling Hungary unfriendly country
• Putin reacted on PM Orbán’s devastating defeat – surprising turn: we won’t congratulate!