Orbán's plane en route to Russia, although Budapest has not yet confirmed his visit
The plane, probably with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on board, took off from Budapest and flew into Belarusian airspace amid media reports about Orbán's planned meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
As Szabolcs Panyi, a VSquare journalist, writes the route of the Hungarian government plane, which is already flying over Belarus – "a mysterious destination," the journalist sarcastically noted.
Panyi added that the press service of the Hungarian prime minister only told reporters that Orbán would be staying in Azerbaijan on Friday and Saturday. Orbán's official visit to Moscow has not yet been confirmed. "I’d be utterly shocked if they deceived and lied to us!", the journalist added again in the spirit of sarcasm.
Orbán’s plane is already flying over Belarus to a mysterious destination. @HU24EU and the PM’s press people only told journalists that Orbán will be in Azerbaijan today and tomorrow. I’d be utterly shocked if they deceived and lied to us! (ofc he’d go to Azerbaijan from Moscow) https://t.co/WNI4OQNaEI pic.twitter.com/4BrKDRFEW6
Advertisement:– Szabolcs Panyi (@panyiszabolcs) July 5, 2024
Panyi, who reports on Central and Eastern Europe, reported the day before, citing his sources, that Viktor Orbán would visit Moscow just a few days after visiting Kyiv.
Radio Liberty's sources also confirmed this information. An EU official, who wished to remain anonymous, told Radio Liberty that Orbán had not informed the EU of his planned trip to Moscow.
Amid the media reports, European Council President Charles Michel said that Hungary, which holds the EU presidency, has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU.
Orbán also admitted that the EU Council presidency does not give Hungary a mandate to promote peace in Ukraine.