Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán traveled to Moscow on Friday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling Hungary’s continued defiance of European Union efforts to isolate Russia over its war in Ukraine.
According to The Associated Press, Orbán, considered Moscow’s closest ally within the EU, has maintained strong energy ties with Russia even as most European nations reduce reliance on Kremlin oil and gas.
“We have important areas of cooperation, and we haven’t given up on any area of that cooperation, no matter the external pressure,” Orbán said during the Kremlin meeting. “Russian energy forms the basis of Hungary’s energy supply, now and in the future.”
Orbán has long called for a halt to hostilities in Ukraine but has stopped short of specifying how Kyiv’s territorial integrity should be preserved.
EU and NATO officials have criticized Hungary’s position, arguing it undermines collective efforts to confront Russian aggression.
Putin, in his opening remarks, praised Orbán’s “balanced position” on the conflict. The Kremlin later reported that the talks lasted nearly four hours.
Earlier this month, Orbán met with President Donald Trump in Washington, securing an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy companies Lukoil and Rosneft.
The Hungarian leader said the waiver would guarantee affordable Russian oil and gas supplies through this winter and into next year.
“Now all we need is oil and gas, which we can buy from the Russians. I am going there to ensure Hungary’s energy supply at an affordable price both this winter and next year,” he said Friday.
Hungary has repeatedly defended its reliance on Russian energy, arguing that cutting imports would cause economic collapse. Critics contend that Hungary could diversify its energy sources, but Orbán has blocked EU efforts to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027.
Meanwhile, the United States has reported that sanctions on Russian oil producers are beginning to limit Moscow’s war funding.
Prices for Russian crude have fallen as Indian and Chinese buyers moved to comply with sanctions ahead of their implementation last week.
The broader conflict continues, with Ukraine reporting strikes on Russian oil refineries and air defense depots, while Russia claimed to have intercepted over 130 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Ukrainian forces also detected multiple Russian missile launches toward the Khmelnytskyi region, including at least one Kinzhal missile, highlighting the ongoing escalation alongside diplomatic efforts.
