Ukraine reacts to Orbán's visit to Moscow and outlines main principle that should be respected

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has commented on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's visit to Moscow on Friday, 5 July 2024, where he held talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that the Hungarian side made the decision to make this visit without the Ukrainian side's consent or approval.

"The principle of ‘no agreements on Ukraine without Ukraine’ remains unbreakable for our country, and we call on all states to strictly adhere to it," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry noted that the Peace Formula remains the only realistic way to restore a just peace.

"As evidenced by the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, which was also attended by Hungary, more than a hundred states and international organisations share a common vision of peace based on respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the UN Charter," the Foreign Ministry wrote.

The ministry also added that the Peace Summit format is a key platform for finding ways to restore a just peace.

"Ukraine remains confident in further work on the development of bilateral cooperation and European integration following the visit of the Hungarian Prime Minister to Kyiv," the Foreign Ministry noted.

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin hosted Viktor Orbán, Hungarian PM, in the Kremlin on 5 July to conduct negotiations and discuss Ukraine, among other things. He started the meeting by mentioning an ultimatum for Kyiv.

Bertalan Havasi, the press chief for Orbán's office, stated that Orbán arrived in Moscow as part of his "peace-making mission" and will meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He visited Russia just a few days after visiting Kyiv on 2 July.

Orbán did not inform the European Commission about his plans to visit Moscow and did not coordinate his actions with it.

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell 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.

Orbán himself claimed that he had no mandate to hold the negotiations about peace between Ukraine and Russia.