Hungary's Orban defies EU partners and meets Putin again in Moscow

Russia's leader praised what he called Orban's "balanced position on the situation in Ukraine".

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Orban is seen as one of Putin's closest allies in Europe and he has consistently angered his Nato and EU allies by undermining solidarity against Russia.

"We are aware of your balanced position on the situation in Ukraine," Putin told Orban in remarks carried by Russian state TV.

Posting later on social media, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the Hungarians had got what they came to Moscow for: guaranteed supplies of Russian oil and gas, and agreement to continue the construction of the Paks nuclear power station.

Reacting to news of Orban's visit, Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, the EU's biggest member state, told reporters: "He is acting without a European mandate and he is doing so without consulting us but that is nothing new."