Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow has raised eyebrows across Europe, with the EU clarifying that the trip is solely within the scope of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia. This visit, occurring while Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, has prompted a statement from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
“The Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow is exclusive to the bilateral ties between Hungary and Russia,” stated the High Representative. “It does not reflect any external representation of the EU, which remains the purview of the President of the European Council and the High Representative at the Ministerial level.”
This visit comes at a sensitive time, given the EU’s firm stance on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU’s position, as outlined in numerous European Council conclusions, explicitly excludes official contacts with President Putin. “Prime Minister Orbán has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow,” the statement emphasized. “He is not representing the EU in any capacity.”
The EU’s position on Russia is underscored by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the International Criminal Court’s indictment of President Putin. The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin due to his alleged role in the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
Political analysts suggest that Orbán’s visit may strain relations within the EU, especially considering the union’s unified stance on isolating Russia diplomatically. “This visit could be perceived as undermining the EU’s collective foreign policy,” said a Brussels-based analyst.
