European security not possible without engaging Russia, claims Hungarian minister

The European Union must engage Russia if it is to build a "sustainable security architecture", Hungary’s minister for EU affairs, János Bóka, said on Wednesday in an interview with Euronews.

"If we are willing to build a sustainable security architecture for decades to come, somehow, the relationship between Europe and Russia needs to be devised," Bóka said.

"We, just like all member states of the European Union, believe that we need to fully support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," he added. "I think this is beyond question, but I also believe that a sustainable security architecture is not possible without engaging Russia through diplomatic channels."

Last Friday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sparked backlash from EU leaderswhen he paid a surprise visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as part of what the Hungarian premier describes as "Peace Mission 3.0."

The meeting with Putin followed a trip to Ukraine for similar talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The timing of the Moscow trip, days after Budapest took up the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, and the use of the EU presidency branding in communications relating to the so-called peace mission has fuelled ire in Brussels.

European Council President Charles Michel said in a scathing response that the "EU rotating presidency has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU."

It came days before Kyiv’s largest children’s hospital was struck in an attack which, according to a UN analysis, was caused by a direct Russian missile. At least two people were killed at the hospital and about 50 were injured, including seven children.

Pressed on whether Hungary's overtures to Putin were appropriate given the Kremlin's