Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, following his "peace tour," has called on the European Union to abandon what he termed as the "US war policy" and re-establish direct political communication with Russia. 

His comments have sparked a strong response from EU leaders.Orban, known for his often contrarian stance within the EU, made his appeal after a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at promoting peace. "We must refuse to copy the US war policy and instead open direct lines of communication with Russia," Orban said. He emphasized the need for a more independent European approach to the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine.

In response, President of the European Council Charles Michel reminded Orban that he did not have the authority to represent the EU in matters concerning Ukraine. "Negotiations about Ukraine cannot take place without Ukraine," Michel asserted, underlining the EU's position that any dialogue regarding the conflict must involve the Ukrainian government directly.

EU leaders reiterated that Russia remained the aggressor in the ongoing war, and any shift in policy must reflect this reality.