Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban offered to help Russian President Vladimir Putin “in any way,” including hosting peace talks on the war in Ukraine, according to a reported transcript cited by Bloomberg News.

The account is based on a phone call between the two leaders on October 17, though the transcript has not been independently verified.

Offer included hosting potential summit

According to the reported conversation, Orban proposed that Hungary could serve as a venue for negotiations, suggesting Budapest as a possible location for talks aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

In the call, Orban reportedly described Putin as a friend and said he was ready to assist immediately in any capacity.

Putin, in response, is said to have praised Hungary as potentially the only acceptable European location for a meeting, including a possible summit involving U.S. President Donald Trump.

Hungary maintains close ties with Russia

Orban, who has been in power since 2010, has maintained close relations with Russia despite the war in Ukraine.

Hungary continues to rely heavily on Russian oil and gas and has taken positions that have complicated European Union support for Ukraine, including blocking the implementation of a previously agreed EU loan.

Timing sensitive ahead of election

The reported exchange comes as Orban faces a closely contested re-election bid scheduled for April 12, described as his toughest political challenge in over a decade.

Hungary has also indicated it would allow Putin to enter the country for talks, despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, which the government is in the process of leaving.

No official confirmation yet

Hungarian officials have not commented on the reported transcript, and there has been no immediate response from the Kremlin.

The report follows other disclosures, including an audio recording involving Hungarian and Russian foreign ministers discussing European Union sanctions.