“Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kall was shocked by (…) Viktor Orban‘s meeting with Vladimir Putin (…). It is with great respect that Kaja Kallas said this. Toji Kaja Kallas, for whose husband it was recently revealed that even in the event of a war [Ukrainoje] he had shares in a company that supplied one Russian factory with raw materials for 30 million, despite the hostilities. euros. Hypocrisy in a cube,” P. Szijjarto wrote on the social network Facebook.
K. Kall called the meeting between V. Putin and V. Orban very, very unpleasant.
“How can you shake hands with a criminal waging a war of aggression, especially coming from a country with a history like Hungary‘s?” asked K. Kallas. She was quoted by the British newspaper “The Guardian”.
“What happened in Hungary, what the Russians did there, is not so far in the past,” said the Estonian prime minister, referring to the entry of the then Soviet Union’s army into Hungary in 1956.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Hungarian leader Vladimir Orban in China on Tuesday and said he was pleased to still have ties with some European countries.
It was Putin’s second meeting with a European leader since February 2022, when he launched the invasion of Ukraine. In April 2022, he received Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
Despite Moscow’s attack on Ukraine, V. Orban maintains relations with the Kremlin.
“Despite the fact that in the current geopolitical conditions the opportunities to maintain contacts and develop relations are very limited, the fact that our relations with many European countries are maintained and developed cannot help but give satisfaction,” said V. Putin. “One such country is Hungary.”
V. Putin indicated that “it is very important to have the opportunity to exchange views with the EU country, Hungary, not only on bilateral issues, but also on the situation in Europe and the world.”
After the meeting with the Russian leader, V. Orban said on Facebook: “Today, one question is on everyone’s mind in Europe: will there be a ceasefire in Ukraine?”
He said that the most important thing for Budapest is to end the influx of refugees, the sanctions against Moscow and the fighting in the neighboring country.
The Hungarian nationalist has long said his country will not accept migrants, putting him at loggerheads with Brussels.
V. Orban also spoke out against Western sanctions against Moscow for its attack in Ukraine.
In August, the Estonian media announced that the logistics company “Stark Logistics”, a part of which belongs to Arvo Hallik, the spouse of the Estonian Prime Minister, continued to supply goods to Russia after the start of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
After this information appeared, there were calls for K. Kallas to resign.
The Stark Logistics company then claimed to have only one Estonian client, the Metaprint company, which was closing its factory in Russia. She said Stark Logistics was making deliveries to help organize the plant closure.
In the wake of the scandal, A. Hallikas announced that he would sell the shares of Stark Logistics. As announced, he owned 24.8 percent. shares of this company.
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#Hungarian #minister #retorted #Estonian #prime #minister #disappointed #meeting #Orban #Putin
**Interview with Political Analyst Anna Ternovskaya on Kaja Kallas’ Response to Orban’s Meeting with Putin**
**Editor:** Welcome, Anna. Today, we’re discussing Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’ strong reaction to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent meeting with Vladimir Putin. What are your initial thoughts on Kallas’ comments?
**Anna Ternovskaya:** Thank you for having me. I believe Kaja Kallas’ remarks underscore a deepening rift within the European Union regarding the appropriate response to the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Her shock and disapproval of Orban’s meeting with Putin reflect broader concerns about Hungary’s alignment with Russian interests, particularly given the historical context she provided.
**Editor:** That’s a good point. Kallas mentioned the significance of Hungary’s history with the Soviet Union in her remarks. How do you think this historical context plays into current EU dynamics?
**Anna Ternovskaya:** History plays a crucial role in shaping contemporary attitudes towards Russia among Eastern European countries. For Kallas, referencing Hungary’s past with Soviet aggression highlights her perspective that engaging with Putin is not just politically irresponsible but also morally questionable. It speaks to a broader anxiety in Eastern Europe about Russian influence and aggression, amplified by recent conflicts.
**Editor:** Kallas referred to Orban’s actions as hypocritical, particularly in light of her husband’s alleged business ties to Russia. How does this accusation complicate the narrative?
**Anna Ternovskaya:** That adds a fascinating layer to the discussion. It exposes internal contradictions within the region’s leadership. While Kallas criticizes Orban’s cozy relations with Putin, the emergence of personal financial ties within her own family can create a perception of hypocrisy. This tension could undermine her position and leave her vulnerable to similar criticisms, complicating her moral high ground.
**Editor:** Orban has stated that maintaining dialogue with Russia is important for Hungary and Europe. How do you assess his strategy going forward?
**Anna Ternovskaya:** Orban’s approach seems to be pragmatic, prioritizing Hungary’s interests over EU solidarity. By maintaining ties with Putin, he positions Hungary as a potential mediator or voice within the EU, even if it places him at odds with other member states. However, this strategy could come back to haunt him if it alienates Hungary from its allies and further isolates the country in an increasingly divided EU.
**Editor:** how do you predict this situation will evolve, particularly in light of Kallas’ recent statements and Orban’s ongoing relationship with the Kremlin?
**Anna Ternovskaya:** The tension between leaders like Kallas and Orban will likely continue to escalate. If Orban persists in deepening ties with Russia, we could see stronger pushback from Baltic states and other Eastern European countries who feel threatened by Russian aggression. This situation may even prompt calls for more cohesive EU policy measures against members that undermine collective security, which could lead to difficult conversations about unity and alliances within the EU.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Anna. This is certainly a developing story to watch as the geopolitical landscape continues to shift.
**Anna Ternovskaya:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how this unfolds.
