OREANDA-NEWS. Military expert Andrei Koshkin, in a conversation with NEWS.ru, commented on the act of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to peace talks with Ukraine in Budapest. Head of the Department of Political Science of the PRUE GV Plekhanova recalled that the Russian Federation is open to dialogue.

We see that Russia is open to all forms of negotiations, meetings and consultations. But today Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov has informed the public that there are, in principle, absolutely no moves forward on the part of the negotiating team from the current Kiev authorities. Moreover, they completely stop some contacts,” the speaker noted.

The Hungarian leader, meeting Moscow halfway on gas issues, shows that he is trying for the sake of his population, the expert believes.

As for Viktor Orban, the leaders of the two states have very warm and good relations. The Hungarian leadership has an understanding that it is necessary to discuss everything personally in order to provide for the economy and the population, and not follow the conjuncture that requires ruining the economy for political purposes. I will say that this is very important, after all, Hungary is a NATO and EU state, and this is an important factor. That is, we are ready to meet, the only thing, as our president says, would be the result of this meeting,” the interlocutor summed up.

Earlier, Orban called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky an opponent of the Hungarian ruling Fidesz party, and American billionaire George Soros was also on the list of Orban's opponents. Prior to this, the Hungarian leader has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to allow interference in the situation in Ukraine, as this could lead to terrible consequences for the population of Hungary.

The current head of state Aleksandar Vučić, who won the next presidential election in Serbia, also said that the country will strive to maintain partnership and friendly relations with Russia, and will continue to pursue a policy of military neutrality, which has received huge support, and will not enter into any military alliance.