Hungary protests ahead of talks between Viktor Orban and Vladimir Putin

Thousands of people have protested in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, ahead of talks between PM Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Today’s visit is Vladimir Putin’s first to an EU leader since June 2014.

Hungary wants to negotiate a new agreement for Russian gas supplies.

Russia has been largely shunned by EU member states because of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, although it denies accusations of fomenting the violence.

Protesters rallied in Budapest on Monday night carrying banners saying “Putin No! Europe Yes!”.

Much of the city centre was closed to traffic on February 17 as security was stepped up ahead of the visit.

Vladimir Putin’s trip comes less than two weeks after German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Budapest before embarking on a week of intense diplomacy, which resulted in the announcement of a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.

He is keen to demonstrate that he has allies within the EU and NATO, observers say.

During his visit, Vladimir Putin is due to visit the graves of Soviet soldiers.

Hungary has backed EU sanctions imposed on Russia over the situation in Ukraine, but has been vocal about their negative impact.

In 2014, Viktor Orban said the EU had “shot itself in the foot” by restricting trade with Moscow.

Hungary relies on Russia for more than half of its gas supplies and wants to negotiate a flexible long-term deal to succeed the current agreement which expires later this year.

Viktor Orban, who rose to prominence with a strong anti-communist and anti-Russian stance as a student leader, told Hungarian radio on Friday that there were psychological tensions with Russia, but he wanted to overcome them.

He is considered to be among Vladimir Putin’s closest allies in Europe.

Many of the demonstrators who marched through Budapest on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s visit said they were wary of closer ties with Russia.

xNXHnuha-pk