Orbán's Moscow visit seen as a ploy to shift EU stance on Ukraine

According to the latest report by the American Institute for the Study of War, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, likely aims to shift Western focus toward peace negotiations as part of his efforts to undermine EU support for Ukraine.

"Orban is likely aiming to shift Western focus towards possible peace negotiations as part of his overarching effort to undermine European support for Ukraine," the report reads.

According to ISW, Orbán continues to pose as a potential mediator in talks that would end the war in Ukraine "despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's rejection of mediation or serious negotiations."

The Institute points out that in Friday's article for "Newsweek," Orbán accused NATO of prioritizing conflict over peace and stated that the Alliance was created to maintain peace.

Orban's efforts to push for negotiations are likely part of his ongoing effort to shift European focus to discussions about peace negotiations and away from discussions about military support for Ukraine, assesses ISW.

Meanwhile, as the Institute emphasizes, Putin has rejected participation in potential talks about a ceasefire and denied any interest in a ceasefire. Instead, he demanded Ukraine's capitulation through its "demilitarization" and renunciation of large areas not currently under Russian control.