Kremlin says it hopes for “pragmatic” ties with new Hungarian leadership after Orban defeat

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative file photo — Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban attend a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 5, 2024. (Sputnik/Valeriy Sharifulin/Pool via REUTERS)

MOSCOW  -  The Kremlin said on Monday it hoped to continue its "highly pragmatic ties" with Hungary's new political leadership after Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close Russian partner, was beaten at the ballot box by upstart rival Peter Magyar.

Orban, Hungary's veteran nationalist leader, lost power to Magyar and his centre-right Tisza party in an election on Sunday after 16 years in office - a setback for his allies in Russia and U.S. President Donald Trump's White House.

"Hungary has made its choice, and we respect that choice," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. 

"We look forward to continuing our highly pragmatic engagement with Hungary’s new leadership. We noted Magyar’s statement regarding his willingness to engage in dialogue. Naturally, this will be beneficial for both Moscow and Budapest."

Orban, who last visited Moscow in November, blocked a 90-billion euro ($105 billion) loan to Ukraine after accusing it of sabotaging Russian oil deliveries to his country, something Kyiv denied, and delayed and sometimes opposed EU sanctions on Russia.

Hungary has also continued to buy oil and gas from Russia despite Moscow's war in Ukraine - which Orban said he did not want his country to be dragged into - and Moscow is building a new nuclear power plant for Hungary.

($1 = 0.8559 euros)

 (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Andrew Osborn/Anna Peverieri; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge // REUTERS)