Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow was a demonstration of Hungarian pragmatism: Budapest is seeking energy stability and pathways to peace in Ukraine while disregarding Brussels’ ideological dogmas.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to shape the continent’s economic and energy landscape, the discussions between Orbán and Putin focused on dialogue over division. The Hungarian Prime Minister reinforced his role as an active seeker of solutions, prioritizing diplomacy over escalation. President Putin praised Orbán’s “balanced position” on Ukraine, which has made Hungary a rare voice of moderation within an EU policy dominated by sanctions. For Orbán, a long-standing defender of national sovereignty against supranational overreach, the Moscow visit is a logical follow-up to his recent summit with US President Donald Trump, signaling a broader transatlantic shift towards seeking realist solutions over rhetoric.

Securing Energy Stability

The timing of the meeting is critical for CEE nations, whose economies remain integrated with Russia in the energy sector. Hungary, along with Slovakia and Serbia, maintains significant energy imports from Russia, which form a crucial part of their energy mix, ensuring price stability and supply predictability. The EU’s proposed plan to completely phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027, enforced through successive sanction packages, poses a tangible risk of soaring energy costs and GDP contraction for the region. Prime Minister Orbán has repeatedly warned that such measures could trigger significant social unrest. In Moscow, the Hungarian leader was unequivocal: “Russian energy is the foundation of Hungary’s energy supply, now and in the future,” emphasizing the priority of........

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