President Vladimir Putin said that he was ready to discuss the Russian position on a 'peaceful settlement' of the Ukrainian conflict, while speaking at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow on Friday.
"I'm at your disposal. You are probably aware of my speech to the Foreign Ministry leadership recently in Moscow. It outlined our positions on a possible peaceful settlement. Of course, I am ready to discuss it with you, to tell you about some of the nuances, I expect you will acquaint me with European partners' position," Putin said.
Putin also claimed that the meeting could provide an opportunity to discuss their bilateral ties.
"I hope we will have an opportunity to exchange views on building bilateral relations in this difficult situation and, of course, to talk about the prospects for the development of the biggest European crisis, I mean in the Ukrainian direction," he said.
Orban thanked Putin for welcoming him and emphasised that the countries that could talk to both sides of the Ukrainian conflict were 'rapidly running out'.
"Soon Hungary will be the only country in Europe that will be able to talk to everyone. I would like to use this opportunity to discuss a number of important issues with you. I would also like to know your position on a number of important issues for Europe," Orban said.
Earlier, Orban announced his visit to the Russian capital with a picture from the airport, adding: 'The peace mission continues. Second stop: Moscow.' It comes less than a week after Hungary assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.
The European External Action Service - the EU's diplomatic department - said that Orban's visit to Moscow was taking place without 'any mandate from the EU Council' and in the framework of the 'bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia'.
"Prime Minister Orban has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow. The EU position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is reflected in many European Council conclusions. That position excludes official contacts between the EU and President Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister is thus not representing the EU in any form," it stated.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Orban's visit would not resolve the Ukrainian crisis, writing on X that unity and determination "will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine" - adding "appeasement will not stop Putin".
Earlier this week, Orban visited Kiev and urged Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to 'take a break', have a ceasefire and 'continue negotiations' - although admitted the response to his suggestion had been 'frank'.
Deputy Head of the Ukrainian presidential office Igor Zhovkva said that the ceasefire issue could not be 'considered in isolation' from other aspects of the conflict settlement.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR, claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
I'm ready to discuss our position on peace in Ukraine - Putin meets with Hungarian PM
President Vladimir Putin said that he was ready to discuss the Russian position on a 'peaceful settlement' of the Ukrainian conflict, while speaking at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow on Friday.
"I'm at your disposal. You are probably aware of my speech to the Foreign Ministry leadership recently in Moscow. It outlined our positions on a possible peaceful settlement. Of course, I am ready to discuss it with you, to tell you about some of the nuances, I expect you will acquaint me with European partners' position," Putin said.
Putin also claimed that the meeting could provide an opportunity to discuss their bilateral ties.
"I hope we will have an opportunity to exchange views on building bilateral relations in this difficult situation and, of course, to talk about the prospects for the development of the biggest European crisis, I mean in the Ukrainian direction," he said.
Orban thanked Putin for welcoming him and emphasised that the countries that could talk to both sides of the Ukrainian conflict were 'rapidly running out'.
"Soon Hungary will be the only country in Europe that will be able to talk to everyone. I would like to use this opportunity to discuss a number of important issues with you. I would also like to know your position on a number of important issues for Europe," Orban said.
Earlier, Orban announced his visit to the Russian capital with a picture from the airport, adding: 'The peace mission continues. Second stop: Moscow.' It comes less than a week after Hungary assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.
The European External Action Service - the EU's diplomatic department - said that Orban's visit to Moscow was taking place without 'any mandate from the EU Council' and in the framework of the 'bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia'.
"Prime Minister Orban has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow. The EU position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is reflected in many European Council conclusions. That position excludes official contacts between the EU and President Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister is thus not representing the EU in any form," it stated.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Orban's visit would not resolve the Ukrainian crisis, writing on X that unity and determination "will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine" - adding "appeasement will not stop Putin".
Earlier this week, Orban visited Kiev and urged Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to 'take a break', have a ceasefire and 'continue negotiations' - although admitted the response to his suggestion had been 'frank'.
Deputy Head of the Ukrainian presidential office Igor Zhovkva said that the ceasefire issue could not be 'considered in isolation' from other aspects of the conflict settlement.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR, claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
President Vladimir Putin said that he was ready to discuss the Russian position on a 'peaceful settlement' of the Ukrainian conflict, while speaking at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow on Friday.
"I'm at your disposal. You are probably aware of my speech to the Foreign Ministry leadership recently in Moscow. It outlined our positions on a possible peaceful settlement. Of course, I am ready to discuss it with you, to tell you about some of the nuances, I expect you will acquaint me with European partners' position," Putin said.
Putin also claimed that the meeting could provide an opportunity to discuss their bilateral ties.
"I hope we will have an opportunity to exchange views on building bilateral relations in this difficult situation and, of course, to talk about the prospects for the development of the biggest European crisis, I mean in the Ukrainian direction," he said.
Orban thanked Putin for welcoming him and emphasised that the countries that could talk to both sides of the Ukrainian conflict were 'rapidly running out'.
"Soon Hungary will be the only country in Europe that will be able to talk to everyone. I would like to use this opportunity to discuss a number of important issues with you. I would also like to know your position on a number of important issues for Europe," Orban said.
Earlier, Orban announced his visit to the Russian capital with a picture from the airport, adding: 'The peace mission continues. Second stop: Moscow.' It comes less than a week after Hungary assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.
The European External Action Service - the EU's diplomatic department - said that Orban's visit to Moscow was taking place without 'any mandate from the EU Council' and in the framework of the 'bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia'.
"Prime Minister Orban has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow. The EU position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is reflected in many European Council conclusions. That position excludes official contacts between the EU and President Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister is thus not representing the EU in any form," it stated.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Orban's visit would not resolve the Ukrainian crisis, writing on X that unity and determination "will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine" - adding "appeasement will not stop Putin".
Earlier this week, Orban visited Kiev and urged Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to 'take a break', have a ceasefire and 'continue negotiations' - although admitted the response to his suggestion had been 'frank'.
Deputy Head of the Ukrainian presidential office Igor Zhovkva said that the ceasefire issue could not be 'considered in isolation' from other aspects of the conflict settlement.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR, claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.