The Kremlin said on Monday it hoped to continue its "very pragmatic ties" with Hungary's new political leader after Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close Russian partner, was defeated by his new rival, Peter Magyar.
Orban, Hungary's veteran nationalist leader, lost power to Magyar and his center-right Tisza party in Sunday's election after 16 years in office, a setback for his allies in Russia and the administration of US President Donald Trump.
"Hungary has made its choice and we respect that choice," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"We look forward to continuing our very pragmatic engagement with the new leadership of Hungary. We noted Magyar's statement regarding his readiness to engage in dialogue. Of course, this will be beneficial for both Moscow and Budapest," he added.
Orban, who last visited Moscow in November, has blocked a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine after accusing it of sabotaging Russian oil supplies to his country, something Kiev denies, and has also delayed and sometimes opposed EU sanctions on Russia.
Hungary has also continued to buy oil and gas from Russia despite Moscow's war in Ukraine, in which Orban has said he did not want his country to be involved.
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