"Appeasement will not stop Putin." EU reacts to Orban's Moscow visit

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who flew to meet with dictator Vladimir Putin, does not represent the entire European Union, and the bloc rules out contacts with Russia, according to senior officials of EU institutions. 

"Viktor Orban's visit to Moscow falls exclusively in the bilateral relations between Hungary & Russia," said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

He stressed that the European Council's position on Russia's war against Ukraine precludes official contacts between the EU and Putin.

Accordingly, Orban does not represent the EU during this visit, Borrell noted.

On Thursday, July 4, European Council President Charles Michel stated that the country presiding over the EU Council has no authority to interact with Russia on behalf of the bloc.

"The European Council is clear: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine," Michel stressed.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that appeasement will not stop Putin – and "only unity and determination will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

Read also: "Russia must leave Ukraine": US rejects Orban's ceasefire proposal