Overview
- The visit was handled without prior coordination with EU, NATO or the United States, according to Vsquare, which cited a source with direct knowledge.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rebuked the trip as lacking a European mandate, and Western diplomats expressed surprise and embarrassment in private messages reported by Vsquare.
- Talks centered on energy, nuclear cooperation and industrial ties, including the Paks nuclear project, oil and gas supplies and a possible MOL purchase of Gazprom’s stake in Serbia’s NIS.
- The Kremlin meeting was closed to the press with Sergey Lavrov, Yuri Ushakov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak present, and Putin praised Hungary’s “balanced” stance on Ukraine.
- Orbán said he went to ensure Hungary’s energy needs are met at affordable prices for this winter and next year, and Putin suggested a potential meeting with President Trump could be held in Budapest.