MOSCOW, April 13 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Monday that it hoped it could continue what it called its “pragmatic ties” with Hungary’s new political leadership after Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close Russian partner, lost an election to centre-right rival Peter Magyar.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow respected the choice the Hungarian people had made at the ballot box and wanted good relations with Hungary, as well as with the rest of Europe.

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Anna Peverieri;Editing by Andrew Osborn)