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What Orbán Just Talked to Putin about by Phone

• 4 Mar 2026 5:23 AM

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has had talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone, the PM’s communications department told MTI on Tuesday. Orbán and Putin discussed the situations in the Middle East and in Ukraine, as well as the availability of oil and gas supplies crucial for Hungary’s energy security, the statement said.

Building on the latest Hungarian‑focused reporting this week, several outlets highlight that the two leaders also addressed the status of Hungarian citizens mobilized into the Ukrainian armed forces and captured by Russia.

HVG reported that the Kremlin’s readout specifically flagged the fate of these Hungarians in Ukrainian uniforms being held in Russian captivity, underscoring how Budapest’s unusual stance on the war in Ukraine increasingly shapes its diplomatic agenda.

Népszava and Telex‑Hungary coverage noted that Hungarian government sources stressed the importance of maintaining energy‑supply channels, including the lingering reliance on Russian oil and gas, while Orbán publicly continues to frame his contacts with Putin as part of a “peace mission” and a safeguard for Hungary’s sovereignty.

Meanwhile, international outlets such as Kyiv Independent observed that the phone call comes amid a sharp escalation in tensions between Kyiv and Budapest, with Ukraine accusing Hungary of enabling Moscow’s war‑related narratives and Hungary retaliating through measures such as blocking the transit of diesel fuel to Ukraine.

MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.

Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.

XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com
 

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