The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, says that the visit to Moscow of the Prime Minister of Hungary, which is now serving the rotating presidency of the European Council, Viktor Obran, takes place solely within the framework of bilateral relations and cannot represent the position of the European Union.

"Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to Moscow takes place, exclusively, 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," according to a statement, the text of which was distributed on Friday in Brussels.

Borrell recalled that the EU’s position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is reflected in many conclusions of the European Council. "That position excludes official contacts between the EU and President Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister is thus not representing the EU in any form," the High Representative said.

At the same time, he stated that Hungary is currently an EU member state and serves as the rotating chairman of the Council until December 31, 2024. "That does not entail any external representation of the Union which is responsibility of the President of the European Council at the Head of State or Government level and of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy at Ministerial level," Borrell recalled the powers of officials within the EU.

The High Representative also recalled that President Putin was indicted by the International Criminal Court and an arrest warrant was issued for his role in the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.