Hungary has not yet commented on the call with Putin.<\/p>\n
It was the first known phone call between the two leaders since\u00a0oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia via Russia\u2019s Druzhba pipeline stopped<\/a>\u00a0after a Russian strike reportedly damaged the line on Jan. 27.\u00a0Slovakia has said that supplies should resume this Wednesday.<\/p>\n \t\tnews \t\t\t\tRussia\u2019s Consulate in Dubai Calls Stranded Travelers \u2018Orphans\u2019 and \u2018Anti-Social\u2019 Orb\u00e1n visited Putin in Moscow in November amid his efforts to secure a one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions against Russian energy giants Lukoil and Rosneft.<\/p>\n Hungary depends heavily on Russian oil and gas imports, which Orb\u00e1n calls \u201ccheap relative to international prices,\u201d despite Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n As Hungary resists the EU\u2019s efforts to impose additional sanctions on Russia, the Kremlin said Putin credited Orb\u00e1n\u2019s \u201cdesire to pursue a balanced and sovereign course.\u201d<\/p>\n On Tuesday, Putin and Orb\u00e1n also discussed rising energy prices after the United States and Israel this weekend launched military strikes against Iran, which retaliated with drone and missile attacks on energy, military and other sites across the Gulf and the wider region.<\/p>\n Orb\u00e1n is a longtime ally of both Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n A Message from The Moscow Times:<\/strong><\/p>\n Dear readers,<\/p>\n We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”<\/p>\n These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.<\/p>\n We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help<\/a>.<\/p>\n Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.<\/p>\n By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tContinue\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Not ready to support today? \u00d7<\/p>\n \t\tRemind me next month<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\t\t\tThank you! Your reminder is set.\n\t\t<\/p>\n
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