The European Union is rushing to limit the fall out from Viktor Orban’s meeting with Vladimir Putin, amid growing fears the Hungarian prime minister is acting as a “Trojan horse” for the Kremlin.
The Hungarian leader assumed control of the rotating EU presidency at the beginning of July and promptly paid a visit to both Ukraine and Russia.
His trip to meet Putin has infuriated fellow European leaders, who insist that Orban made the visit on his own initiative and was not acting as an EU representative.
European Council President Charles Michel slammed Orban, saying the “EU rotating presidency has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU.”
He added: “The European Council is clear: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine.”
EU member states are reportedly discussing ways to restrict Viktor Orban’s powers as Council President in the wake of his Moscow visit, according to several diplomats who spoke to the Financial Times.
They also said many EU countries are considering boycotting ministerial meetings in Hungary.
Valerie Hayer, president of the Renew Europe parliamentary group, has openly called for Orban to be removed from the presidency with immediate effect.
The Hungarian prime minister has always been sceptical about Ukraine‘s ability to defeat Russia and has consistently called for peace talks with Moscow.
After his whirlwind visit to meet both Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin, Orban admitted both sides were still “far apart” and that many steps were still needed to end the war.
In a letter sent to Michel after his trip and seen by Politico, Orban reportedly advocated for immediate peace negotiations, but insisted he had not offered any opinions or policy proposals to Putin on behalf of the EU.
He added that he will continue his efforts to facilitate truce talks and “clarify the possibilities for achieving peace” in the coming weeks.
EU diplomats are worried that Orban is deliberately trying to undermine unity among bloc members, which would only benefit Putin.
The Hungarian prime minister followed up his diplomatic mission to Russia with a visit to Donald Trump last week.
In a tweet, Orbán called the visit “peace mission 5.0”, adding: “We discussed ways to make #peace. The good news of the day: he’s going to solve it!”
He has made no secret of his support for Trump, and has endorsed his re-election bid.