Putin, Orban agree on necessity of strengthening cooperation in fight against terrorism

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban agreed on the necessity of strengthening the cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, during their talks in Budapest on Thursday.

"We agreed on the necessity of strengthening the fight against international terrorism, we agreed that we must join our efforts," Putin told journalist in a press conference with Viktor Orban in the building of the Hungarian Parliament.

He also said that he has briefed his host about the Russian standpoint regarding the situation in Eastern and Southern Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Middle East.

"I hope that the resolution of the problems of the Middle East will contribute to the easing of the migratory pressure on Europe," Putin said.

About the conflict in Ukraine, which is a country neighboring both Russia and Hungary, the Russian president pointed at the Ukrainian leadership for the escalation of the conflict.

"The Ukrainian leaders need money, and they want that money from Western countries, and it is better to do that if they act as the victims of a so-called aggression," said Putin.

The Russian president also said that it was not in the interest of the Ukrainian government to abide by the Minsk agreement, and that is what lead to the recent renewal of the conflict.

"I hope that the rational forces in Ukraine, and other countries in the world will not let this situation escalate and will force the Ukrainian leadership to execute the Minks agreement," Putin underlined.

"The execution of the Minsk agreement is also in the interest of Hungary," Orban said. "It is the only way that peace can be achieved in Ukraine," he added.

The Hungarian prime minister was optimistic about the recent changes in international events, which could lead to a stable relationship between Russia and the EU.

"The world is undergoing major changes. And it is in the air, that these changes around us will create conditions, which would develop the European-Russian, and within, the Hungarian-Russian relations and cooperation," he explained.

"The fundamental condition of European peace is a stable and balanced relationship between Russia and Europe," Orban stressed. He also mentioned that the interest of Hungary was a stable and successful Ukraine, not least because of the important Hungarian minority living there.

The issue of Ukraine being a transit country of Russian gas was a "non-political issue," according to Putin.

"We are ready to use every route, if we receive warranties, but we do not want to account for losses due to others unpredictable reactions," as he referred to the unborn Southern gas corridor's idea, which has been suspended buy the EU.

The last visit by Putin to Budapest was on Feb. 17, 2015, during a working visit. Endit