Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shake hands during their meeting at the Senate Palace of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on November 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban defied the EU on Friday (November 28, 2025) by promising Vladimir Putin he will keep buying Russian oil, as he attended a Kremlin meeting held in the midst of a diplomatic push to end Moscow’s Ukraine offensive.
Mr. Orban — in power in the EU and NATO country since 2010 — has throughout the war maintained ties with the Kremlin, while also criticising Hungary’s neighbour Ukraine.
It was the Hungarian nationalist’s fourth meeting with Mr. Putin since Moscow launched Europe’s worst conflict since the Second World War.
The talks will have infuriated Brussels, which has called on EU members to end their dependence on Russian energy and is trying to make its voice heard in peace settlement negotiations on Ukraine.
“We have not given up cooperation [with Russia] in any area, regardless of any external pressure,” Mr. Orban told Mr. Putin. “I would like to reiterate that energy supplies from Russia form the basis of Hungary’s energy supply now and will remain so in the future.”
Mr. Orban this month said he would take the EU to court over a decision to phase out remaining Russian gas imports to the bloc. Budapest is heavily reliant on Russian energy.
“We greatly appreciate the reliability and predictability of these supplies,” Mr. Orban said.
Mr. Putin thanked the Hungarian leader for what he called Hungary’s “balanced position” on Ukraine and for maintaining ties with Russia “despite all the difficulties”. He said Budapest-Moscow ties were based on “pragmatism”.
Mr. Orban — facing re-election next year — said ahead of his trip that he was going to Moscow to “ensure Hungary’s energy supply is secured for the winter and the following year at an affordable price”.
Published – November 29, 2025 12:45 am IST
