Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has offered assistance to Russian President Vladimir Putin in resolving the war in Ukraine, including the possibility of organizing a summit in Budapest.
According to a report published by Bloomberg News, citing a transcript of a phone call between the two leaders, Orbán expressed readiness to contribute "in any way" to facilitate dialogue between the parties.
This development comes at a delicate political moment for the Hungarian leader, who faces a strong challenge ahead of upcoming elections, while maintaining a softer approach towards Moscow compared to the rest of Europe.
Despite the conflict in Ukraine, Orbán has maintained close relations with the Kremlin and has often emphasized the importance of energy cooperation, given his country's dependence on Russian oil and gas resources. He has also opposed some European Union initiatives in support of Kyiv due to bilateral disagreements.
In the reported conversation, Orbán addresses Putin as a "friend," highlighting the long-standing relationship between them that dates back more than a decade. On the other hand, the Russian president has appreciated Hungary's stance, describing it as more independent regarding the Ukrainian crisis and suggesting that Budapest could be a suitable venue for a potential international meeting.
The report also emphasizes that Hungary has expressed readiness to host such a summit, regardless of international legal developments related to the Russian leader. Meanwhile, the publication of this material follows other media revelations that shed light on communications between high-ranking Hungarian and Russian officials regarding sanctions and political cooperation issues.