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The EU Presidency has no mandate to negotiate with Russia on behalf of the EU

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

The reaction of European Council President Charles Michel was triggered by reports that Viktor Orban is expected to visit Moscow and meet with Vladimir Putin.

Charles Michel and Viktor Orbán. Photo: Olivier Matthys/AP/dpa

“The rotating presidency of the EU is not mandated to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU,” emphasizes the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in response to reports indicating that, according to a Hungarian government source, Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of the current presidency country for this semester, is expected to visit Russia on July 5 after already visiting Ukraine.

In his post on platform X, Charles Michel points out that “The European Council is clear: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussion about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine.”

For his part, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted in his post on platform X:

“Rumors of your visit to Moscow can’t be true, Viktor Orbán, can they?”

On July 1, Hungary took over the presidency of the EU Council. One day later, Viktor Orbán visited Kyiv for the first time since Russia’s invasion. As noted in his post on platform X, the Hungarian Prime Minister with Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to open a new chapter in their bilateral relations. At the same time, the EU has imposed 14 sanction packages against Moscow, highlighting that support for Kyiv will continue for as long as necessary. (07/04/2024)