DISINFO: High ranking EU representatives are not authorised to speak on behalf of Europe
SUMMARY
EU officials have said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán cannot speak [on behalf of Europe]. They visit Kyiv and other capitals, but no-one says they cannot speak on behalf of their organisations. Is HRVP Josep Borrell authorised to speak (on behalf of the EU)? Are NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg the next secretary-general, Mark Rutte, authorised to speak on behalf of NATO? Are they authorised to speak on behalf of heads of state? They are definitely not authorised. Orban is an elected leader. [00:04:07-00:04:38]
RESPONSE
This is an attempt by pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets to drive a wedge between European leaders and disrupt the EU’s unanimous support for Ukraine which is repelling Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression.
The claim is made in the context of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow on 5 July 2024. It distorts statements made by leaders of EU institutions after Viktor Orbán visited Moscow in his position as leader of Hungary. European leaders made it clear that Orbán’s visit to Moscow was not in an official EU capacity and that and his talks with Putin did not reflect the Union’s official position on Russia's war in Ukraine. They did not deny his authority to hold talks with the Russian President, on behalf of his own country, as is claimed in the video.
HRVP Josep Borrell said: ‘Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow takes place, exclusively, in the framework of the bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia.’ Borrell added: ‘Prime Minister Orbán has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow. The EU position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is reflected in many European Council conclusions. That position excludes official contacts between the EU and President Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister is thus not representing the EU in any form.’
European Council President Charles Michel said in a comment on X: ‘The EU rotating presidency has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU. The European Council is clear: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine.’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘Appeasement will not stop Putin. Only unity and determination will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.’
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa all said that Orbán’s visit to Moscow was a unilateral decision and did not represent the EU’s position.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that EU’s disintegration is close due to its anti-Russia sanctions, that Borrell said the EU’s foreign policy is a failure , and that The EU may collapse because of megalomaniac Polish elites.