President of the European Council Charles Michel responded to a letter from the Prime Minister of the Hungarian EU Presidency Viktor Orbán, in which he once again explained to him that the Council Presidency does not receive a mandate to act on behalf of the Union, and that the EU's position regarding Ukraine has been unanimously agreed upon – the Union will support her as long as necessary.

Such provisions are contained in a letter from Michel to Orbán, the text of which is available to Interfax-Ukraine. The letter is dated July 16 and is a response to Orbán's letter dated July 12, in which, among other things, the Hungarian prime minister called on the EU to resume relations with Russia.

Michel reminded Orbán that the EU position on Ukraine was unanimously agreed upon by all EU member states by the European Council, and was last confirmed in June. In particular, in the conclusions adopted following the Council meeting at the level of heads of state and government, the EU confirmed its "unwavering commitment to support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed." In addition, the Strategic Agenda, which was also approved by all leaders, stated that the EU "provided support to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia's war of aggression and to protect European security."

Michel again pointed out to Orbán that the country's rotating presidency of the Council, which is now entrusted to Hungary and will last for six months, "has no role in representing the Union on the international stage and received no European Council mandate to engage on behalf of the Union." "I made this clear even prior to your visit to Moscow and this was subsequently reiterated by High Representative Borrell in his statement of 5 July," the President of the European Council said.

Michel also expressed his disagreement with Orbán's assertion that the EU is allegedly pursuing a pro-military policy. "I cannot accept your claim that we have led a 'pro war policy.' It is quite the opposite. Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is the victim exercising its legitimate right to self-defence. Russia is leading a war of aggression in blatant violation of international law, Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the UN Charter," he pointed out the facts to Orbán.

The President of the European Council also reminded Orbán of the EU position, according to which "no discussion about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine." "The European Union has consistently sought to build broad international support for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the UN Charter and international law, in line with the key principles and objectives of Ukraine's Peace Formula. The Union has spared no effort to reach out to all partners in this regard, including China," Michel said.

The President of the European Council explained to Orbán that "the most direct way to peace is for Russia to withdraw all of its forces from Ukraine and respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the UN Charter."

Michel briefed Orbán that, just as the Hungarian Prime Minister sent copies of the letter addressed to the President of the European Council to all member states, he intends to do the same and will send a copy of this letter to members of the European Council, as well as inform Ukraine about this correspondence.

As it is known, the EU reacted sharply negatively to Orbán's uncoordinated trips to Moscow and Beijing with the so-called "peace mission" for Ukraine. Orbán also met with Donald Trump in the United States and, in the already mentioned letter to Michel, praises Trump for his intention, immediately after being elected president, to "act as a peace broker" with "detailed and well-founded plans for this."