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Putin, Hungarian PM to discuss energy, sanctions, Ukraine settlement

“There will be many topics to discuss due to the EU sanctions against Russia and retaliatory measures," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) ITAR-TASS/Alexey Nikolsky/Archive
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R)
© ITAR-TASS/Alexey Nikolsky/Archive

VIENNA, January 21. /TASS/. Energy, sanctions and the settlement in Ukraine will be in the focus of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on February 17, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told national radio station on Wednesday.

“There will be many topics to discuss due to the EU sanctions against Russia and retaliatory measures, which will lead to the considerable decline in political and economic cooperation between the two countries,” Szijjarto said.

Export to Russia has decreased by 13%, he said. Hungary intends to discuss energy and energy security, particularly “amidst the refusal to implement the South Stream project,” Szijjarto said.

The leaders will discuss measures to upgrade the Paks nuclear power plant two reactors of which will be built by Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation, Rosatom. The agreement on implementing the project was reached as part of the Hungarian premier’s visit to Moscow a year ago.

Ukraine will be also in the focus of the talks between Putin and Orban, the Hungarian ministry said. “Hungary insists on settling the armed conflict in Ukraine without delay based on the Minsk agreements. Hungary seeks to see a strong and stable Ukraine,” Szijjarto said.