Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, defying EU efforts to isolate Russia over its nearly four-year war in Ukraine.

This visit, Orbán’s second in two years, highlights his status as the EU leader most closely aligned with Putin.

Hungary continues to rely heavily on Russian fossil fuels, and Orbán reiterated that Russian energy will remain central to Hungary’s supply despite external pressure.

His calls for ending the conflict in Ukraine—without clarifying Kyiv’s territorial or security future—have frustrated EU and NATO partners, NBC News has reported.

Putin praised Orbán’s “balanced position,” and the Kremlin said their talks concluded after nearly four hours.