Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday to discuss crude oil and gas supplies for Hungary, as well as peace efforts in Ukraine. The meeting was confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to Russia’s TASS state news agency.
Focus on Securing Hungary’s Energy Supply
Orban announced the visit earlier on Friday through a video interview on his Facebook page. He said the meeting’s main goal is to secure Hungary’s energy needs for the coming winter and the next year. Hungary remains heavily reliant on Russian energy, despite the European Union’s ongoing efforts to reduce dependence on Moscow.
When asked if Ukraine peace talks would also be on the agenda, Orban said, “We can hardly avoid that.”
US Sanctions Exemption and Nuclear Agreement
This month, the United States granted Hungary an exemption from sanctions related to Russian oil and gas. The decision followed Orban’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump in Washington, where he argued for the exemption to ensure Hungary’s energy stability.
Additionally, Hungary signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States. The deal allows Hungary to buy American nuclear fuel and technology to store spent fuel at the Russian-built Paks I nuclear plant. Russia’s state company, Rosatom, is currently expanding the plant under a 2014 project that has faced significant delays.
Orban’s Close Ties with Moscow
Unlike most NATO and EU leaders, Orban has maintained cordial relations with Moscow throughout the war in Ukraine. He has questioned the logic of Western military support for Kyiv and continues to promote dialogue between Russia and Western nations.
Orban has also voiced interest in reviving plans for a “peace summit” in Budapest between Trump and Putin, an initiative that was shelved earlier this year.
According to Hungary’s foreign ministry, the country has imported 8.5 million tonnes of crude oil and more than 7 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Russia so far this year.
(with inputs from Reuters)
