Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Iranian air defenses intercept Israeli drones in Tehran's skies
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Explosions heard in the capital, Tehran
Iran's IRGC statement No. 8: The Aerospace Force targeted the Mossad terrorist operations planning center in Tel Aviv, and this center is currently up in flames
Iran's IRGC statement No. 8: The Aerospace Force targeted an Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate (Aman) center this morning
Israeli media: Sirens sound in northern Golan Heights amid fears of drone infiltration
Iran's IRGC statement No. 6: The technologies and capabilities used in this operation enabled it to successfully and accurately hit its targets in the entity
Iran's IRGC statement No. 6: We launched a new wave of missile attacks moments ago, stronger and more destructive than previous launches
Spain's FM: I see no sogn of de-escalation between 'Israel' and Iran
Spain's Foreign Minister: EU must impose an arms embargo on 'Israel' as long as this war lasts
Israeli media: The facility is used for all logistical activities of the Israeli military intelligence division

Putin, Orban discuss Ukraine, other issues in rare meeting

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 5 Jul 2024 19:55
3 Min Read

As Hungary assumes the presidency of the European bloc, Viktor Orban leads an unpopular peace mission between Ukraine and Russia.

Listen
  • x
  • Putin, Orban meeting in Moscow
    Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, shake hands during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, on July 5, 2024. (AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with his Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in a meeting that angered other European Union member states and the Ukrainian government on Friday. 

The two leaders discussed various issues, however, headlining the talks is the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Generally, the EU has boycotted Russian government officials and on this occasion said that Orban threatened to undermine the 27-member bloc's stance on the conflict. 

On his part, the Russian President emphasized the positive nature of the talks, saying he hopes that the two parties will have "the opportunity to exchange views on bilateral relations in this difficult situation."

Putin also said that he looks forward to "talk about the prospects of the largest European crisis, I mean in the Ukrainian direction."

"I am ready to discuss [a peaceful settlement to the conflict] with you and explain some of the nuances. I hope you will also introduce me to your position and that of your European partners," Putin was quoted as saying.

Read more: Russia says its forces took control of district in Chasiv Yar town

Orban's talks with Putin: A rare European occurrence

On the other hand, Orban said he recognizes that "positions are far apart" between the two sides, adding that "the number of steps needed to end the war and bring about peace are many."

The Hungarian leader pointed to a decreasing number of entities that can discuss the situation in Ukraine with both sides of the country. 

Related News

France's Le Pen hosts European allies in show of far-right unity

Orbán slams Ukraine's EU accession as economic threat to Europe

"Hungary will soon become, apparently, the only country in Europe that will be able to talk to everyone," he stressed. 

Orban also said he would discuss a number of other important European issues with Putin. 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russian officials only knew about the meeting on Wednesday, adding that it was Orban's idea. 

According to Peskov, there will be at least two rounds of talks, one in which delegations will discuss bilateral issues and another meeting between the heads of the two states that will last "as long as necessary."

Hungary's Prime Minister arrived in Moscow after visiting Kiev on July 2, in the context of a "peace mission" he is leading. 

Read more: EU group may kick out Hungary for refusing to aid Ukraine

Hungary's EU presidency to go against European current

The meeting comes a few days after Hungary took over the EU's rotating presidency, agitating top EU and NATO officials, such as Ursula von der Leyen, Josep Borrell, and Jens Stoltenberg. 

Hungary will hold a six-month presidency of the EU, in which it will garner sway over the European bloc's agenda and priorities. 

The Hungarian leader on Friday insisted that peace cannot be achieved without dialogue.

"If we just sit in Brussels, we won't be able to get any closer to peace. Action must be taken," Orban said during his regular radio interview.

The visit also marks the first to Moscow by a European leader since a trip by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in April 2022.

Read more: Hungary's Orban says EU wants war with Russia, dragging Europe with it

  • Hungary
  • Moscow
  • Viktor Orban
  • Russia
  • Ukraine
  • Vladimir Putin
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • Today
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
In this photo released by the Iranian Red Crescent Society rescuers work at the scene of an explosion after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (Iranian Red Crescent Society via AP)
Politics

‘Israel’ targets civilians in Tehran; most victims are kids

France's President Emmanuel Macron arrives during the official welcome of the G7 Summit, Monday, June 16, 2025, in Kananaskis, Canada. (AP)
Politics

Macron warns West regime change in Iran would be 'strategic error'

Trump hints at escalation: G7 exit ‘much bigger’ than Iran ceasefire
Politics

Trump says G7 exit denotes something 'much bigger' than Iran ceasefire

A group photo of the G7 Summit, Monday, June 16, 2025, in Kananaskis, Canada (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
MENA

G7 sides with aggressor, says 'Israel' has 'right to defend itself'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS