EU confirms Orban's talks with Putin violate bloc's treaties - media

The Financial Times reported the information, citing diplomatic sources in the EU.

According to the outlet's sources, the EU's legal service informed member states on July 10 that Orban's actions violated EU treaties that prohibit any "measure which could jeopardise the attainment of the Union’s objectives."

The head of the Hungarian government violated the provision that all countries of the bloc should conduct foreign policy activities "unreservedly in a spirit of loyalty and mutual solidarity."

At the same time, in a comment to the FT, European Council President Charles Michel said that Orban's recent trip to Moscow was a "political mistake." He also added that in his 10 years in the EU, he had "never seen such a severe reaction from 26 other countries to the actions of [one country]."

According to Michel, he met with the Hungarian prime minister at the NATO summit in Washington and is in contact with other European leaders to decide what to do next.

Orban's visit to Moscow

On July 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban arrived in the Ukrainian capital for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting focused on Ukraine's peace plan.

Later, the media reported that Orban was planning to pay a visit to Moscow following his visit to Kyiv.

In his turn, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, reminded that the EU presidency cannot interact with Russia on behalf of the bloc. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also responded to the information about the Hungarian prime minister's trip to Moscow.

On July 5, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Moscow for a visit. In the Kremlin, he met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and called for a ceasefire.

Orban also took part in an informal summit of Turkic states in Azerbaijan on 5-6 July. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that Budapest does not represent the interests of the EU in its interactions with countries and organisations.

On July 7, it was reported that Orban is seeking to shift the West's attention to possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the hostilities, but his efforts are aimed at undermining support for Ukraine from European allies.