Ludmila Zhernovskaya15:48, 05.07.24

Bundestag member Michael Roth has called on Hungary to step down as the EU’s presidency.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s trip to Moscow has raised many questions in Europe. Representatives of different countries are speaking out about it online.

Thus, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell stated that Orban’s visit is taking place exclusively within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia.

“The EU’s position on Russia’s war against Ukraine rules out official contacts between the EU and President Putin. Prime Minister Orbán therefore does not represent the EU,” he wrote in X .E

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Kremlin ruler Putin would not be deterred by appeasement. “Only unity and determination will pave the way for a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace in Ukraine,” she added .

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is convinced that Orban is using his EU presidency to sow confusion. “The EU is united, clearly supports Ukraine and opposes Russian aggression,” she wrote in X .

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk quoted Orban as saying that the Hungarian side “will serve as an important instrument to take the first step towards peace.” “The question is in whose hands is this instrument,” he asked.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also noted that Orban is in Moscow as the Prime Minister of Hungary. “The European Council on Foreign Relations will be represented by Charles Michel. The EU position is very clear: we condemn Russia’s aggressive war. Ukraine can count on our support,” he stressed .

Bundestag member Michael Roth criticized the trip on the X microblog . “The scandal is that Orban is shamefully abusing the EU Council Presidency and traveling to the Kremlin without a mandate. He is undermining the fundamental principles of EU foreign policy. Either the Hungarian government respects its current role in the EU, or he must resign as president,” he wrote.

MEP Daniel Freund published old photos of Orban and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto’s visits to Russia. “Orban’s visit to Moscow should not surprise anyone. What is surprising is the fact that he is doing this during his presidency of the EU Council, which could have been prevented,” the German politician noted .

French National Assembly MP Clement Beaune also criticized the trip. “When Marine Le Pen’s friends are in power, this is what you get: Orban in Moscow, hand in hand with Putin. It’s a disgrace. Europe will not capitulate. Full support for Ukraine, which protects our security,” he wrote in X .

Czech Prime Minister Peter Fiala noted that Orban does not have a mandate to negotiate on behalf of the European Union. “The Czech position is clear: Putin is the aggressor, we are on Ukraine’s side,” he added.

And Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the use of Hungary’s EU presidency irresponsible and disloyal. “This sends the wrong signal to the outside world and makes fun of the Ukrainian people who are fighting for their freedom. Mr. Orban stands alone in this matter, he does not speak on behalf of the European Union and does not speak on behalf of all of us, heads of state and government,” the Prime Minister emphasized .

Updated at 15:45: At a briefing in Brussels, European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said Orban’s visit to Russia had called into question the EC chief’s visit to Hungary.

“We believe that this undermines the unity and determination that we must demonstrate to end this war. This visit to Moscow seriously calls into question the traditional trip of the chairman of the commission to Hungary in this case (the country presiding over the EU Council – Ed.), which we planned immediately after the summer break,” European Pravda quotes him as saying .

Orban arrived in Moscow

Recall that on July 2, the Hungarian Prime Minister arrived in Ukraine for the first time in 12 years. They held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, after which Orban called on Ukraine to cease fire .

On the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the Hungarian side had initiated  a telephone conversation with Lavrov.

This afternoon it became known that Orban has already arrived in Moscow . He called it a “peacekeeping mission.”

UNIAN 2024