Hungary's Christmas ceasefire bid rebuffed by ukraine
The Ukrainian side declined a telephone conversation between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President Volodymyr Zelensky, lamented Hungary's Foreign Minister. Péter Szijjártó stated on Sunday that Budapest wished to propose a ceasefire to Ukraine and Russia and a prisoner exchange during the Christmas holidays.
On Sunday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told the Kossuth Radio programme that Ukraine declined to organise a telephone conversation between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrarrangeresident Volodymyr Zelensky. The conversation was intended to discuss Hungary's proposal for a "ceasefire," according to the Hungarian portal MTI, theo the Hungarian portal MTI. "
Szijjártó explained that Budapest wanted to propose a ceasefire and mass prisoner exchange to Ukraine and Russia during Christmas. This initiative was discussed during Orban's conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.
According to Szijjártó, Budapest requested a telephone conversation between Orban and Zelensky but was met with an "unprecedented diplomatic gesture" of refusal. He stated that the Head of the President's Office of Ukraine "refused somewhat firmly and courteously."
The Ukrainian portal European Pravda notes that the minister did not explain why Hungary informed Ukraine of its proposal only after the conversation with Putin.
Szijjártó emphasised that one side considered the proposal acceptable, while the other adopted an "unacceptable stance."
An offer has been on the table for the past thousand days without acceptance. The decision to consider or approve it does not rest with Hungary. While one party has deemed the offer acceptable, the other has opted to reject it, according to Péter Szijjártó.
The European Pravda portal recalls that in the summer of 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed an "Olympic ceasefire," which Russia rejected.
