Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will be received by Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Monday, March 13, according to a statement released by the Elysee Palace on Friday. The two heads of state and government will attend a working lunch as part of the preparations for the European Council on 23rd and 24th March.
According to the Council Presidency, the main issues are support for Ukraine, strengthening European competitiveness, energy and support for the European defense industry.
Ambiguous position of the Hungarian Prime Minister
Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly denounced Europe’s “indirect war” against Russia, called again in late February for a ceasefire in the conflict that has plagued Ukraine for a year. Since the start of the Russian offensive on February 24, 2022, the Hungarian government, whose country is heavily dependent on Russian hydrocarbon imports, has taken an ambiguous position and refrained from criticizing the President of the Russian Federation.
Viktor Orban, who had close ties to Vladimir Putin before the war, refuses to send arms to Kiev and castigates European sanctions targeting Russia, even though he voted in favor with his partners.
“The President will discuss rule of law issues with his counterpart,” the Elysée also announced. Since returning to power in 2010, the Hungarian nationalist leader has gradually managed checks and balances, be it in the media or in the judiciary, and regularly draws criticism from the European Union. The latter is also blocking around 12 billion euros in funds destined for Budapest pending anti-corruption reforms.
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