Viktor Orban arrived in Moscow on Friday for controversial peace talks with Vladimir Putin over how to end the war in Ukraine.

The Hungarian prime minister was met by Putin in the Kremlin, with the Russian leader saying he was keen to hear his proposals for a ceasefire.

Mr Orban visited Ukraine earlier this week and a Hungarian diplomatic source told the Telegraph he would act as a go-between, with the visit likely endorsed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I am ready to discuss the nuances [of peace] with you,” Putin said, adding that Hungary was becoming the “last” country that can speak to both Europe and Russia.

EU leaders roundly criticised the visit, saying Mr Orban was not acting on behalf of the bloc.

His government has been responsible for delaying swathes of military support for Kyiv and sanctions against Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine.

But since taking over the rotating presidency of the EU on Monday, Mr Orban has promised to act as an honest broker to solve the bloc’s most outstanding challenge.

Putin welcomed Mr Orban’s visit, saying he understood he was now “president of the European Council” and able to outline “the position of our European partners”.

Earlier, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission’s president, said: “Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban is visiting Moscow.

“Appeasement will not stop Putin.”

“Only unity and determination will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”

“Prime minister Viktor Orban’s visit to Moscow takes place, exclusively, in the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia,” Josep Borrell, the EU’s top foreign diplomat, added.

“Prime Minister Orban has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow.”

In an interview with Hungarian radio before departing for Moscow, Mr Orban denied he was attempting to negotiate on behalf of the bloc but said he wanted to be a “tool” for peace.

“Once again, Hungary has no mandate, just as the rotating presidency has no mandate, to negotiate on behalf of the European Union, not even on my mind,” he told Kossuth Radio.

“However, I can identify the situation, I can identify how far each side can go, and once we have done that, then the European leaders, the 27 prime ministers, can make decisions.”

On Thursday, Mr Zelensky opened the door to Russia attending a peace summit this year without giving up the Ukrainian land it has seized.

Russia’s summer offensive has yet to make major headway inside Ukraine, but the war is draining Kyiv of men and resources.