The Hungarian Prime Minister, who took over the rotating presidency of the European Union on July 1, could meet Vladimir Putin.
ADVERTISEMENTIs Viktor Orban planning an official visit to Moscow?
In any case, this is the rumour that has been circulating in Brussels for several days.
Budapest took over the rotating presidency of the European Union last Monday and the Hungarian prime minister first travelled to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Some fear he will now hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, very clearly condemned the idea: “The rotating presidency has no mandate to open discussions with Russia on behalf of the European Union” he said, adding that “no discussion can take place on Ukraine in his absence“.
The Hungarian government has set its priorities for the next six months: a firm line on immigration, enlargement and European defence.
But the Hungary still blocks military support worth over 6 billion euros to Ukraine and prefers to focus on humanitarian aid.
Ukrainian troops have been losing ground in Donbass in recent days: Moscow says it has hit three Ukrainian air bases and Kyiv has announced the withdrawal of its troops from a district of the strategic city of Chassiv Yar.
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