© Sputnik / Mikhail KlimentyevRussian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow, Russia.
The two leaders, who have been colleagues for more than a decade, greeted each other familiarly, and Putin said he preferred face-to-face meetings over telephone calls.
The Russian president also emphasized the particular importance that energy deals hold in the two country's relations. "In spite of all obstacles, the volume of trade increased by 30% over the past 11 months," he stated. "This is a good sign, and large-scale projects are continuing, such as the construction of nuclear power plants."
Comment: Note that Hungary is looking to build more nuclear plants, meanwhile the same EU countries suffering soaring energy prices are decommissioning theirs.
Putin went on to say that Russia and Hungary had signed long-term contracts that would allow the EU nation to purchase discounted gas from Russia until 2036. He also reported that Hungary currently buys gas five times cheaper than the European market rate. "This is primarily the result of your work," he told his counterpart.
Orban replied that many in Europe are in fear of an upcoming energy crisis, and that Hungary is grateful for the contract.
Comment: Shortages and blackouts might not yet be happening, but that's only because the US and EU have called in some favours, and it's unsustainable, even in the short term: Europe facing reality that Russian gas is irreplaceable
Western leaders have been saying for months that they fear Russia is planning an imminent invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow has repeatedly denied, and Orban was criticized by some opposition figures in Hungary for his willingness to meet with Putin and sign a major energy deal during the standoff. In a radio appearance on Friday, he said that his priority was a "balanced economic relationship" with Russia.
Hungary's foreign minister has previously criticized Ukraine for its policies towards some ethnic groups, who are denied official minority status if they are considered to have a state elsewhere in the world, which includes both Hungarians and Russians. The top diplomat has said that Kiev should amend these laws if it wants to eventually be admitted to NATO, the US-led military bloc, of which Hungary is a member.
On Tuesday, Orban, who has been in office since 2010 and is up for re-election in April, also told Putin that he foresees many more years of working together. "This is our 13th meeting," he remarked. "That is a rarity. Nearly everyone who was a colleague of mine in the European leadership no longer is. So, you and I have built up 13 years of meaningful memories of the past of Russia and the EU. And, speaking honestly, I'm not planning to leave. There are elections in April, and I'm planning to run in them and win. So, I have a good hunch that you and I will be working together for many more years."
Putin replied that Orban had done much to develop Russian-Hungarian relations, and that Moscow was counting on further partnership. "I hope for this mutual work to continue," he said.
Reader Comments
I am not sure.
The escalation of the situation around Ukraine occurred after the "resident of the Oval Office" changed, Republican Senator Ted Cruz attracted attention, as quoted by The Hill.
Responding himself, he concludes that current US President Joe Biden has become the cause of the current tension, who "showed weakness and connivance almost immediately after" getting his hand on the Bible ", taking the oath at the inauguration. .
The Hill@thehill.@SenTedCruz: "Why didn't [Putin invade] in 2017? Why didn't it happen in 2018, 2019 or 2020? What changed? I would suggest what changed is the occupant of the Oval Office who has demonstrated weakness and appeasement virtually from the moment he rested his hand upon the Bible. "
[Link]
"It has always been in our Hungarian interests for an empire not to settle in Europe, because this undermines national interests. Brussels wants to build a liberal democratic empire and deprive member states of as many rights as possible," Orban said in an interview. on radio Kossuth Friday.
As an example, he cited the reaction of the European Commission to a law adopted in Hungary which bans the dissemination of materials on homosexuality and on gender reassignment to minors. According to the prime minister, Brussels is trying to deprive Hungarian parents of the right to decide for themselves on the issue of sex education for their children.
"The Hungarian left openly declares that the left government will be the main prize for Brussels, but we want the main prize not for Brussels, but for the Hungarians," Orban said, commenting on the situation with the upcoming parliamentary elections in April.
Earlier, Hungarian President Janos Ader announced that parliamentary elections in the country will be held on April 3, 2022. The previous parliamentary elections took place in Hungary in April 2018.
The candidate of the opposition coalition in the next elections will be the mayor of the town of Hodmezevasarhei Peter Marki-Zai.In July, the European Commission threatened to sue Poland and Hungary for violations of the rights of LGBT people in those countries.
The EC has repeatedly criticized a law adopted in Hungary banning the distribution of material on homosexuality and gender reassignment to minors.