Putin meets Orban in Moscow

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has arrived in Russia for an unannounced visit centered on energy security, with talks scheduled later in the day with President Vladimir Putin.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto shared news of the arrival on Friday, posting a photo of members of the delegation disembarking a plane in Moscow.

Speaking to reporters before departing Budapest early in the morning, Orban said his priority is ensuring that Hungary continues to receive sufficient supplies.

“I am traveling to Moscow so that Hungary’s energy supply is secured for the winter and for the following year, at an affordable price,” he stated, adding that the Ukraine conflict is an issue that “can hardly be avoided” when he meets with Putin.

• Kirill Dmitriev, an aide to Putin who is deeply involved in normalization talks with the US, has commented on Orban’s visit, saying he is “Europe’s voice of reason.”

  Putin thanks Orban for offering hospitality to foreign leaders, including after US President Donald Trump said his next in-person meeting with the Russian leader could take place in Budapest.

  “That was Donald’s idea,” Putin said. “He told me: ‘We both have good relations with Hungary. You are on good terms with Viktor, and so am I.’ It was my pleasure to agree to the proposal.”

  No date has been scheduled for the proposed summit, pending discussion of the end of the Ukraine conflict.