Hungarian PM responds to criticism from Zelenskyy by saying his idea of “Christmas truce” between Ukraine and Russia was rejected

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's sharp reaction to his conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin by voicing his own "peace initiatives", supposedly rejected by the Ukrainian president. Source: Orban on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Orban claimed that at the end of the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council, Budapest had made new efforts to "achieve peace" in Ukraine.

Quote from Orban: "We proposed a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange.

It's sad that President Zelenskyy clearly rejected and ruled this out today. We did what we could!" More details: At the same time, Orban made no mention of whether he had proposed such an initiative to Vladimir Putin or what the Kremlin leader's response might have been, assuming the proposal was made at all.

At the end of the Hungarian EU Presidency, we made new efforts for peace.

We proposed a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange. It's sad that President @ZelenskyyUa clearly rejected and ruled this out today. We did what we could! https://t.co/17f4tXJEsc

Advertisement:-- Orban Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 11, 2024

Background:

In a tweet commented on by Orban, Zelenskyy expressed hope that Orban "at least won't call Assad in Moscow to listen to his hour-long lectures as well".

The Ukrainian president noted that achieving genuine peace and guaranteed security requires America's determination, Europe's unity and the commitment of all partners to uphold the goals and principles of the UN Charter.

He stressed that "no one should boost personal image at the expense of unity; everyone should focus on shared success".
Orban himself, commenting on his conversation with Putin, claimed that Hungary intends to use all "diplomatic means at its disposal to promote a ceasefire and peace" in Ukraine.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Hungarian foreign minister said Orban and Putin had discussed Hungary's energy security, the war in Ukraine and the events in Syria for an hour on Wednesday.

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