Putin visits Hungary

Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to Budapest on Tuesday, an event called a working visit by the Hungarian government but widely seen by analysts as a demonstration that - despite Russian aggression in Ukraine - he has found a NATO and EU member that is still willing to receive him.

The Russian President laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier on Heroes Square and one on a controversial monument (of Soviet-Russian soldiers taking part in the suppression of the 1956 Hungarian uprising) before meeting Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Hungarian President János Áder.

Hungarian and Russian ministers signed five agrements on cooperation in various fields in the presence of Putin and Orbán in Hungarian Parliament. Following this ceremony, Vladimir Putin thanked PM Orbán for inviting him. He said Hungary was significant partner for Russia and talked about the importance of energy cooperation between the two countries.

Viktor Orbán was of the view that his country needs Russia, the Russian market and Russian energy carriers. He called for settling the relations between the European Union and Hungary and said the EU sanctions on Russia and the counter sanctions hit Hungary also.