Budapest, April 7, 2026
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is under mounting political pressure after leaked details of a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed discussions about hosting a high-level meeting between Russian and US officials in Hungary, while Budapest continues to block €90 billion in EU aid to Ukraine.
Orbán's Offer to Putin
On October 17, 2025, Orbán spoke with Putin in a phone call where he offered Hungary’s assistance in facilitating diplomatic talks between Russia and the US. According to corroborated reports, Putin described Hungary as "one of the few places in Europe suitable for such a meeting, possibly the only one." The proposed meeting, however, never materialized.
The call came just days after Orbán congratulated Putin on his birthday on October 7, 2025, further highlighting the close ties between the two leaders. The revelation of these discussions has sparked criticism from EU allies, particularly as Hungary remains the sole member state blocking the release of €90 billion in EU funds earmarked for Ukraine.
Hungary's Stance on Ukraine Aid and Oil Dispute
Hungary’s obstruction of EU financial support for Ukraine is tied to Orbán’s accusations that Kyiv has prevented Russian oil from being transported through the Druschba pipeline to Hungary. Ukraine, however, has refuted these claims, citing a Russian attack on the pipeline in January 2025 as the reason for the supply disruption.