‘We were never friends with Orbán’: Hungary’s new era leaves Russia on the back foot

Loss of closest European ally will force Kremlin to consider whether non-autocratic states can ever be reliable partners

• Europe live - latest updates

The Kremlin said on Tuesday it was pleased that Hungary's prime minister-elect, Peter Magyar, appeared open to pragmatic dialogue, as Moscow adopts a wait-and-see approach after the election loss of its closest partner in Europe, Viktor Orban.

For now, we can note with satisfaction, as far as we understand, his [Magyar's] willingness to engage in pragmatic dialogue," said the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. In this instance, there is mutual willingness on our part, and we will then proceed to take our cue from the specific steps taken by the new Hungarian government."