European media outlets have reported that Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban will visit Russia on Friday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some European leaders are warning against a meeting.
Britain’s Financial Times and other outlets quoted Hungarian and EU officials in their reports on Thursday.
Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on Monday and will hold the post through the end of this year.
Orban is known for his pro-Russian stance. He sparked controversy by meeting with Putin after Moscow began its invasion of Ukraine. He also opposed the EU’s financial support for Kyiv.
The Hungarian leader met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Tuesday to push for a temporary ceasefire. If Orban meets with Putin, a ceasefire is likely to be on the agenda.
European Council President Charles Michel reacted to the reports in a social media post on Thursday. He wrote, “The EU rotating presidency has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU.” He added, “No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine.”
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted that the rumors Orban may visit Moscow “cannot be true.”
The Hungarian government has not made an official response to the reports.