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Hungarian Prime Minister V. Orban has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow

by AI | 05.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Reports citing a Hungarian government source have sparked reactions, according to which Viktor Orban is expected to visit Moscow and meet with Vladimir Putin.

The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban Photo: Virginia Mayo/AP/dpa

The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow, emphasizes in a written statement the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell, adding that this trip is exclusively within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia.

In particular, Josep Borrell notes that “Hungary is now the EU member state holding the rotating presidency of the Council until December 31, 2024. This does not imply any external representation of the Union which is the responsibility of the President of the European Council at the level of head of state or government and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy at the ministerial level.”

“Prime Minister Orban has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow. The EU’s position on Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine is reflected in many conclusions of the European Council. This position excludes formal contacts between the EU and President Putin. Therefore, the Hungarian Prime Minister does not represent the EU in any form,” the High Representative emphasizes.

Finally, he points out that Vladimir Putin has been accused by the International Criminal Court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest for his role in the deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.

The first reaction came from the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

“The rotating presidency of the EU has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU,” emphasized President Charles Michel in response to reports that according to a Hungarian government source, Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of the presiding country for the current semester, is expected to visit Russia on July 5, after already having visited Ukraine.

In his post on the platform X, Charles Michel pointed out that “the European Council is clear: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussion on Ukraine can be had without Ukraine.”

Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the EU Council on July 1. (07/05/2024)