PM Orban Meets President Zelensky, Kremlin: We Expect Nothing, Hungary Carry Out Tasks

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru)

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin expects nothing from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Kyiv.

"We don't expect anything and maybe it's not our right to comment on this matter," he told reporters in response to a question.

"Hungaria has taken over the EU presidency and obviously has to carry out its duties. This is why I think that in this particular case, the focus is on the obligation (Orban) with respect to Brussels' interests rather than Hungarian national interests," a Kremlin spokesman added.

Peskov stressed, however, "Orban is famous as a politician who knows how to defend his country's interests in a fairly difficult way."

As previously reported, PM Orban on Tuesday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider a ceasefire, in order to accelerate the end of the war with Russia.

PM Orban, a strong critic of Western military aid to Ukraine and EU leader who has the warmest ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, held talks with President Zelensky during his visit to Kyiv.

In a joint statement after the talks, PM Orban said he appreciated Kyiv's push to promote President Zelensky's peace vision at an international summit in June in Switzerland and the goal was to hold a second summit, a follow-up later this year.

"I ask the president to think about whether we can reverse the order, and speed up peace negotiations by making a ceasefire first," PM Orban said.

"The ceasefire associated with the deadline will provide an opportunity to speed up peace negotiations. I am exploring this possibility with the president and I am grateful for his honest answers and negotiations," he continued.

PM Orban attributed a surprise visit to Ukraine to the Hungarian position that will hold the European Council's rotating presidential position for the next six months starting Monday.

"The goal of the Hungarian presidency is to contribute to solving the challenges facing the European Union. That is why my first trip is to Kyiv," Orban wrote on Facebook after he arrived in Kyiv.