Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is visiting Moscow, said today that “differences” between the West and Russia over Ukraine could be bridged and that an “acceptable” agreement for all was “possible”.
“The situation is serious, the differences are significant (…) but they can be overcome,” Victor Orban told reporters after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“An agreement can be reached that guarantees Russia peace, security and is also acceptable to NATO members,” he added.
The Hungarian prime minister, whose visit was criticized by the opposition in his country amid the crisis between Russia and the West, explained that he was in Moscow on a “peace mission”.
Orban said he did not see any intention of attacking Putin in Ukraine.
Referring to the cooperation with Russia, Victor Orban pointed out that he has met with Putin 12 times in the 13 years of cooperation, but today’s meeting is the most important. “We have been working together for 13 years. And today we are meeting for the 12th time,” Orban said, adding that due to geopolitical developments in the world, it would not be an exaggeration to say that today’s meeting is the most important.
“My visit is pacifist, because I was able to say that the European Union is united and that not a single European official would want a conflict with Russia,” he said, calling for “all diplomatic tools to be used to reduce tensions.”
Orban pointed to the “Hungarian model”, that of an EU and NATO member state that maintains “at the same time excellent relations with Russia”.
In power since 2010, Orban has built a friendly relationship with the Kremlin leader amid a deteriorating relationship with Brussels.
Washington accuses Moscow of plotting to invade neighboring Ukraine by deploying tens of thousands of men to its borders. Moscow denies any intention of war and calls on NATO to withdraw from Russia’s neighborhood.
The United States has rejected Russian demands for NATO but has left the door open for discussions on other issues, such as missile development or reciprocal military exercises.
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