By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday called on European leaders to convene a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that without direct engagement, the continent risks becoming a “minor player” in shaping its own security.

Speaking on Kossuth Radio, Orban argued that both French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz “should already have met with President Vladimir Putin” in an effort to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to the Hungarian government’s official website.

“As soon as possible, preferably before the Russian-American summit, and if not, then after the Russian-American summit, a Russian-European summit must take place,” Orban said.

He stressed that Europe “cannot sit at home like a sulking child and pout at the Russian President.”

He underlined that disputes should be resolved “through negotiations,” insisting, as in previous years, on holding a Russian-European summit.

“Otherwise, European countries will be minor players in handling security issues on our continent,” he warned.

Orban reiterated his support for recent US mediation efforts, saying the Trump-Putin meeting was “good news,” but added: “It should not be America alone. Europe must act as well.”

The remarks came as he unveiled details of Hungary’s “Home Start” housing loan program, set to launch in September, which he framed as a strategic response to demographic decline without resorting to migration.

The scheme offers a fixed 3% interest rate, tax-free maternity and childcare allowances, and caps on property prices.

Reaffirming his call for urgent diplomacy, Orban said Hungary “cannot wait for the war to end” before implementing economic programs and warned against what he described as international disinformation campaigns targeting both Hungary and US President Donald Trump.