Hungary’s Orbán Speaks with Russia’s Putin Amidst US Outreach

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, continuing his recent diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.

The Kremlin confirmed the call, saying that Orbán and Putin discussed potential solutions, including Orbán’s ongoing engagements with various Western leaders.

Orbán’s activities, which have included a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump earlier this week, have drawn criticism from allies within the European Union and NATO. Hungary, currently concluding its rotating EU presidency, has been criticized for Orbán’s self-described “peace missions.” These initiatives began in July, shortly after Hungary assumed the EU presidency, with Orbán traveling to Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington. While details of his current diplomatic mission remain scarce, further destinations are expected to be announced.

The timing of Orbán’s outreach coincides with a surge in optimism regarding potential peace talks. Ukrainian dollar bonds experienced significant gains on Wednesday, fueled by speculation that a Trump presidency might accelerate peace negotiations. However, Orbán cautioned that formal negotiations would have to await the US presidential inauguration on January 20.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also voiced optimism, suggesting that peace talks could begin this winter.