Hungary's holiday peace offer to Ukraine hits a roadblock
The Ukrainian side declined a phone conversation between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President Volodymyr Zelensky, lamented Hungary's Foreign Minister. Péter Szijjártó stated on Sunday that Budapest wanted to propose a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and a prisoner exchange during the Christmas holidays.
On Sunday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó reported on the Kossuth Radio program that Ukraine declined to organize a phone conversation between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The conversation was supposed to concern Hungary's proposal according to the Hungarian portal MTI, the"ceasefire," according to 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, which took place earlier this week.
According to Szijjártó, Budapest requested a phone call 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 comments that the minister did not explain why Hungary informed Ukraine of its proposal only after the conversation with Putin.
Szijjártó emphasized that one side considered the proposal acceptable, while the other adopted an "unacceptable stance."
Péter Szijjártó noted that an offer has remained on the table for the past thousand days without acceptance. He explained that Hungary has no decision to consider or approve the offer. While one party deemed the proposal acceptable, the other rejected it.
The European Pravda portal recalls that in the summer of 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed an "Olympic ceasefire," which Russia rejected.
