Beijing, 18 October 2023 (TDI): Hungary’s Prime Minister, Victor Orban engaged in a productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his official visit to China to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum in Beijing on 17 October 2023.
The meeting occurred in a government house in Beijing where President Putin was staying just before starting the international forum on the China Belt and Road Initiatives.
The discussions between the two leaders highlighted various aspects of their bilateral relations with a particular focus on matters such as gas and oil deliveries, as well as nuclear energy cooperation between China and Hungary.
Prime Minister Orban emphasized the significance of peace and underlined the importance of ending conflicts which is important for both nations to address refugee crises, and lifting sanctions.
Orban Victor expressed his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and underscored Hungary’s stance not to oppose Russia in contrast to some other European Union member states.
He is the first leader from the European Union member states who participated in the Belt and Road Initiative forum in Beijing, China.
Also Read: Russian President meets Prime Minister of Hungary
President Putin added that Russia’s relations with several European countries are growing and stay strong even though it is hard in today’s world. He emphasized Hungary is one of those strong and continually developing connections.
Hungary is the only country of the European Union member state that holds distinct stances on certain EU initiatives and is heavily reliant on Russia for its crude oil and gas supplies.
Hungary is closer to Russia than any other state of the European Union and has been known for its opposition to the December decision to start talks regarding Ukraine’s potential European Union membership which would require the backing of all 27 states of the European Union.
This last meeting between Victor Orban and Vladimir Putin was held in Moscow on February 1, which lasted for three hours. Notably. This meeting occurred just three weeks before Russia launched a full-scale military operation in Ukraine.
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