European Commission speaks about possible consequences for Hungary due to Orbán's trip to Russia

Viktor Orbán's trip to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin has put the usual visit of the European Commission President to the EU Council Presidency of Hungary "in question".

Commenting on the Hungarian prime minister's visit, European Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer said at a briefing that, in this case, it was about appeasement, not peace.

"We believe that it undermines the unity and determination that we need to show in order for this war to end," the spokesman said.

"This visit to Moscow seriously puts into question the Commission’s traditional Presidency trip to Hungary in this case (the EU Council Presidency – Ed.), which we had foreseen for just after the EU summer break," he added, noting that cancelling the visit to Budapest would send a clear signal that "there are some actions that we believe do not go in the right direction."

Mamer stressed that Orbán's trip was not linked to an EU mandate. He declined to comment on whether the Commission could hold Hungary accountable under Article 7 of the EU treaty in this regard.

Mamer also said that Orbán did not inform the European Commission of his plans to visit Moscow and did not coordinate his actions with it.

On 5 July, the Hungarian prime minister arrived in Moscow, although Orbán's government did not confirm that the visit would take place until the last minute.

Before his departure, Orbán said on state radio that the EU Council presidency does not give Hungary a mandate to promote peace in Ukraine, but Hungary can be "a good tool in the hands of people who want peace."

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell has said that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's visit to Moscow is not part of Hungary's presidency of the EU Council, so it will be considered solely within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia.