The European Union’s external service on Friday distanced the bloc from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's visit to Moscow, saying it was a bilateral affair between two states, not an EU mission.

The EU’s diplomatic service stressed Hungary was now the EU Member State serving the rotating presidency of the Council until 31 December 2024. 

It added the position did not entail any external representation of the Union which was 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.

“Prime Minister Orbán has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow. The EU position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is reflected in many European Council conclusions. 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 statement said. 

The EU mission highlighted President Putin had been indicted by the International Criminal Court and an arrest warrant released for his role in relation to the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.