With tensions heating up in eastern Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his Hungarian counterpart Prime Minister Viktor Orban for talks in Moscow on Tuesday, at which the pair underscored their friendly partnership, despite worsening relations between East and West.
The two leaders, who have been colleagues for more than a decade, greeted each other familiarly, and Putin said he preferred face-to-face meetings over telephone calls.
The Russian president also emphasized the particular importance that energy deals hold in the two country’s relations. “In spite of all obstacles, the volume of trade increased by 30% over the past 11 months,” he stated. “This is a good sign, and large-scale projects are continuing, such as the construction of nuclear power plants.”
Putin went on to say that Russia and Hungary had signed long-term contracts that would allow the EU nation to purchase discounted gas from Russia until 2036. He also reported that Hungary currently buys gas five times cheaper than the European market rate. “This is primarily the result of your work,” he told his counterpart.