Different EU leaders have expressed concern over media studies that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban could also be assembly Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday.
Mr Orban – whose nation now holds the EU rotating presidency – is the bloc’s solely head of nationwide authorities to have saved shut ties to the Kremlin following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
European Council President Charles Michel stated Mr Orban had “no mandate to interact with Russia on behalf of the EU”, whereas Polish PM Donald Tusk requested for clarification.
A number of media shops reported about Mr Orban’s obvious forthcoming go to, quoting their sources.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a US-government funded media organisation, quoted a Hungarian authorities supply. It additionally stated that Hungarian International Minister Peter Szijjarto would accompany Mr Orban.
Hungary and Russia didn’t instantly reply to BBC requests for remark.
On Monday, in accordance with AFP information company, Mr Orban promised “shocking information from shocking locations”.
In a publish on X, Mr Michel wrote: “The EU rotating presidency has no mandate to interact with Russia on behalf of the EU.
“The European Council is evident: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the sufferer. No discussions about Ukraine can happen with out Ukraine.”
Mr Tusk requested: “The rumours about your go to to Moscow can’t be true@PM_ViktorOrban, or can they?”
Earlier this week, Mr Orban visited Kyiv, saying a “a quick ceasefire could be used to speed up peace negotiations”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – who has had frosty relations with Mr Orban – didn’t publicly reply to the proposal.
However many Ukrainians imagine any ceasefire would merely cement Russia’s maintain over territory it has seized from Ukraine and, if negotiations have been to happen, they would like them to be carried out from a place of power somewhat than on the again foot.
Media hypothesis about Mr Orban’s go to to Moscow got here as President Putin stated once more that he was open to negotiating with Kyiv.
The Kremlin chief not too long ago publicly voiced quite a lot of robust pre-conditions for such talks however Kyiv and its Western allies say these are tantamount to Ukraine’s capitulation.
Mr Orban has been a vocal critic of Western assist for Ukraine. He beforehand slowed settlement on a €50bn ($54bn; £42bn) EU support bundle designed to assist Ukraine in its defence in opposition to Russia.
Tuesday’s go to to Kyiv was his first in 12 years, though he met Mr Putin repeatedly throughout that point.
Throughout Mr Orban’s joint look with Mr Zelensky the physique language between them was not heat, and neither took questions from the media after they gave their statements.
However for the following six months Mr Orban’s place as head of the European Council means he has an influential function as a figurehead for Europe.
He got here to Ukraine on his second day in that function for discussions, saying there was a necessity to unravel earlier disagreements and deal with the long run.
