Sensitive secret meeting?

Orban also wants to visit Putin on Friday

Orban has always been considered Russia-friendly in the conflict in Ukraine and has repeatedly opposed a joint approach against the aggressor.

(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Following his trip to Kiev on Tuesday, Hungary's head of government Viktor Orbán plans to travel to Moscow tomorrow, Friday, to meet President Vladimir Putin in order to lobby for a ceasefire, according to media reports. However, the latter does not want to know anything about such a ceasefire.

The US broadcaster Radio Free Europe and the Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi reported on the possible secret meeting in Moscow on Thursday, citing informed sources. Hungary only took over the rotating presidency of the EU Council a few days ago, which is why the possible trip is likely to be particularly explosive.

Hungary does not want to officially confirm visit
Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky did not want to confirm the planned visit to European journalists in Budapest on Thursday. He had "no information about a trip by the Prime Minister", he explained.

The minister emphasized that Hungary had a "national interest in a functioning Ukraine". He hoped that there would be a ceasefire "as soon as possible": "The best solution for ending the war would be talks between the parties."

Orban previously in Ukraine for the first time
According to information from Panyi, Orbán will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. Orbán had visited the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Tuesday and met President Volodymyr Zelensky.

It was his first visit to Ukraine since the Russian attack in February 2022. The Hungarian head of government is considered close to Russia. In Kiev, he called for a swift ceasefire.

Putin does not want a ceasefire at all
However, Putin himself made no secret on Thursday of the fact that he continues to reject a possible ceasefire without preconditions. Ukraine could use a ceasefire to arm itself for new attacks, which is why a sustainable solution to the conflict must first be negotiated, Putin said.

The Russian president referred to earlier agreements on the Ukraine conflict from times before the Russian invasion, which ultimately ended up "in the garbage can".