Peter Magyar, the leader of Hungary’s Tisza Party, which won the parliamentary elections, said on April 11 that he is ready to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections.

Axar.az reports that, in an interview with Nepszava, he said it would be preferable to have a government focused on Hungary’s real problems, adding that in such a case dialogue with the Russian president would be necessary.

“The geographical position of neither Russia nor Hungary will change,” he said.

Speaking after his party’s electoral victory, Magyar reiterated that Hungary’s energy dependence on Russia would persist for some time, though diversification efforts should be strengthened.

He added that while he is prepared to negotiate with Putin if required, they would not become friends.