Europeans Criticized Orban For His Visit To Putin

• 28.11.2025, 16:39

Hungary's premier 'doesn't play for a European team'.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for his visit to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

His words were quoted by Spiegel.

Merz recalled the intensification of Russian airstrikes after Orban's visit to Putin last July. He noted: these strikes occurred immediately after the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months passed to Hungary.

"This visit was not only unfortunate. A few days after it, the Russian army launched some of the most brutal attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilian objects in Ukraine," Merz said.

He expressed hope that Russia would not react in the same way this time.

"But he is traveling without a European mandate and without consulting us," Merz emphasized.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said during a press conference with Merz that Orban has been "not playing for the European team" for some time.

"We do not expect any benefits or advantages from this visit," Golob added.