Orbán "feels" extent of disagreements between Russia and Ukraine after meeting with Putin

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said that after his visits to Moscow and Kyiv, he realised that the positions of both sides regarding the war of aggression unleashed by Russia "are very far apart".

Source: European Pravda, citing Orbán at a press conference with Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin in Moscow

Details: The Hungarian prime minister said this meeting with Putin was special because it "took place during the war".

"We have realised over the past two and a half years that we cannot achieve peace without dialogue and diplomatic channels," he said.

According to Orbán, "Hungary is one of the few" countries who can talk to both sides of the war unleashed by Russia, which is why he visited Kyiv and is currently in Moscow.

"I felt that the positions are very far apart, that many steps need to be taken to establish peace, but the first important step towards dialogue has already been taken," the Hungarian prime minister added.

Orbán also indicated that he wanted to continue pursuing his "peacekeeping" efforts.

Background:

• On 5 July, Putin met with Orbán in the Kremlin to discuss a range of issues, including some concerning the situation in Ukraine. He kicked off the meeting with an ultimatum for Kyiv.
• Bertalan Havasi, the press chief for Orbán's office, announced that Orbán had arrived in Moscow as part of his "peace mission" and would meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Orbán’s visit to Russia comes just a few days after he visited Kyiv on 2 July.
• Orbán did not inform the European Commission about his plans to visit Moscow and did not coordinate his actions with it.
• EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell said Orbán's visit to Moscow is taking place solely within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia and is not part of Hungary's presidency of the EU Council.
• Orbán himself stated that Hungary has no mandate to hold peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

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