International

Hungary's Orban to head to Moscow to meet with Putin

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday, Radio Free Europe and the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto will also accompany Orban to the Kremlin, the government source said on July 4. Szijjarto has visited Russia more than five times since Moscow invaded Ukraine more than two years ago.

News of the Moscow visit comes days after Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the European Union -- an action that raised concerns among many in the EU because of Orban’s regular pro-Russia statements – and elicited quick condemnation from leaders of the bloc.

Charles Michel, president of the European Council, posted on X that “the EU rotating presidency has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU.”

“The European Council is clear: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine,” Michel added.

Since Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Orban has stood out among leaders from the European Union and NATO for his reluctance to sign onto massive Western weapons and aid packages for Ukraine.

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Ukraine announces that it has shot down half of the missiles launched by the Russian military last night
International

Ukraine announces that it has shot down half of the missiles launched by the Russian military last night

Ukrainian air defense shot down three Kh-101 cruise missiles out of six launched overnight by the Russian armed forces, Rador reports.

Xi Jinping has called for a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine
International

Xi Jinping has called for a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday (Jul 8) that world powers should help Russia and Ukraine re-start direct negotiations during a visit to Beijing branded a "peace mission" by the European leader, DW reports.

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Maia Sandu, after the attack in Kiev: "The Kremlin turned this war into a war against children"
Social

Maia Sandu, after the attack in Kiev: "The Kremlin turned this war into a war against children"

Russia has turned the war into one against children, head of state Maia Sandu said after today's attack on a children's hospital in Kiev. The President of the Republic of Moldova described this action by Moscow as "a lack of humanity and disregard" towards people.

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