Hungarian Leader and Russian President Discuss Energy Collaboration and Ukraine Situation
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Budapest, Dec 12 (NationPress) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in comprehensive phone discussions focusing on energy collaboration and Ukraine, as indicated in a statement from Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
Both leaders were described as being "in full agreement that every effort should be made to sustain energy cooperation," according to the statement reported by Xinhua news agency referencing the Hungarian MTI news agency.
During the more than one hour-long call, Putin emphasized Russia's dedication to upholding energy cooperation and ensuring Hungary's energy supply. The statement noted that the current US administration has complicated matters for several central and southeastern European nations, including Hungary, by imposing sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank, which has hindered payments for natural gas and nuclear fuel.
Orban and Putin concurred that all possible avenues should be explored "to resolve this issue," and there were no barriers from either Hungary or Russia's side to achieving a resolution.
On the topic of Ukraine, Orban discussed at length with Putin the pursuit of a lasting peace settlement. Putin pointed out challenges to peace, such as the Ukrainian legislation that "effectively prevents the current presidential administration from negotiating peace" with Russia, as detailed in the statement.
