VIDEO: Excuse Me, Please: Putin and Orban Toast Champagne from a Distance

Excuse me, please, that due to these restrictions we must behave this way, communicating from a distance.

The conclusion of five-hour negotiations was marked by Putin and Orban toasting with a glass of champagne.

Recall that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban held talks in Moscow, during which the Russian leader stated that direct dialogue is significantly better than a phone conversation.

The head of state particularly emphasized the role of energy in the cooperation between the two countries. "Despite all the restrictions, the volume of trade has increased by 30 percent over the past 11 months. This is a good signal, major projects are continuing, including the construction of a nuclear power plant," said Putin.

According to him, they have managed to achieve stability in fuel supplies thanks to the agreement with Gazprom in Budapest. The president emphasized that this agreement is signed until 2036 and provides a lower price than in Europe.

For his part, Orban noted that the entire continent is experiencing an energy crisis, but Hungary is grateful for this commitment and plans to increase its supply volumes.

The leaders also discussed the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Putin announced that work is underway to transfer the technology for the production of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine to Hungary.

"Despite all the crisis-related restrictions, while we strive to fight even together, we have supplied more than 5 million doses of vaccines, and you have registered 'Sputnik Light'," noted the Russian president. The Hungarian president thanked him for the supply of the vaccine to the country.

Additionally, Putin and Orban discussed the situation in Europe, reported RIA Novosti.