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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made a rare visit to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss peace proposals for Ukraine. This meeting comes after Orbán’s unannounced trip to Ukraine where he proposed an immediate cease-fire. However, Ukraine expressed disapproval of the visit, stating that agreements on Ukraine should not be made without Ukraine’s involvement.

Despite criticism from European leaders, Orbán maintained that Hungary is becoming the only country in Europe that can speak to both warring sides. Putin suggested that Orbán was representing the European Council during their meeting, despite European officials condemning the visit.

During the meeting, Putin claimed that Ukraine was not prepared to discuss a cease-fire that involved the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from certain areas. This stance has frustrated Hungary’s EU and NATO allies who view Russia’s actions as a breach of international law and a threat to Eastern European security.

Orbán, who currently holds the presidency of the EU Council, aims to advocate for peace in Ukraine during his term. However, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell clarified that Orbán’s visit to Moscow was not endorsed by the EU Council and he was not representing the EU during the talks.

Orbán is the first European leader to visit Russia for talks with Putin since Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s visit in April 2022. The Hungarian leader maintained that his trip was part of a peace mission, despite criticism from European officials regarding the visit to Moscow.

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Photo credit www.euronews.com