'Doesn't comply with rules': German Ambassador on Orban's visit to Putin

He said this in an interview with Suspilne.

Jäger emphasized that the presidency of the EU Council, which is currently Hungary, has no mandate to act on behalf of the EU abroad.

"I believe that if you belong to a club, you have to play by the rules. What the Hungarian prime minister did did not comply with these rules. The EU Council Presidency does not speak for the European Union and has no mandate to act abroad on its behalf. This means that either there was a misunderstanding or perhaps it was provoked on purpose. Hungary should not abuse the role of the EU Council presidency," the ambassador said.

He also commented on Budapest's cancellation of the visit of the Hungarian foreign minister with the German one after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Orban's visit to Russia.

"Canceling the visit is wrong. I think it happened because he had to make a sudden trip to China with Mr. Orban. This should not happen between friends and partners," Jäger said.

• On July 2, Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They discussed Ukraine's peace plan.
• Later, rumors spread that Orbán planned to visit Moscow after Kyiv.
• European Council President Charles Michel reminded that the EU presidency cannot interact with Russia on behalf of the bloc. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also responded to Orbán’s potential trip to Moscow.
• On July 5, Orbán visited Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling for a ceasefire.
• Orbán also attended the informal summit of Turkic states in Azerbaijan on July 5-6. EU High Representative Josep Borrell stated that Budapest doesn't represent EU interests in these interactions.
• On July 7, reports emerged that Orbán aims to shift the West's focus to possible Ukraine-Russia negotiations but is undermining Ukraine's support from European allies.
• On July 8, Orbán visited Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss steps to achieve peace in Ukraine. Orbán’s next stop is Washington.