Hungary Responds to Kiev's 'unprecedented gesture'
Hungary's foreign minister Szijjarto has revealed that Budapest sought a phone call with Kiev regarding a ceasefire proposal, but the request was declined. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Budapest has sought a phone call with Vladimir Zelensky regarding a ceasefire proposal, as stated by top diplomat Peter Szijjarto.
According to Szijjarto, the Ukrainian leadership rejected a request for a phone conversation from Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban in an "unprecedented" fashion. This rejection came after Orban had an hour-long discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a recent interview with the public broadcaster Kossuth Radio, Szijjarto explained that he had reached out to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga and Zelensky's chief aide, Andrey Yermak, to seek permission for a conversation between Orban and the Ukrainian leader. He noted that the request was declined in “a somewhat strained” manner, calling it a “gesture that was quite unprecedented in diplomacy,” but he did not disclose the specific language used by the Ukrainian officials.
Szijjarto highlighted Hungary's efforts during its six-month tenure as EU president, stating that it has tried “everything” to use its position “for a good cause, to initiate a ceasefire and peace negotiations.” Hungary has held the rotating presidency of the EU Council throughout the latter half of the year.
Earlier this week, Orban announced a proposal for a Christmas ceasefire and a significant prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. He remarked, “One side accepted it, the other rejected it,” during his Friday interview with Kossuth Radio.
Zelensky countered by suggesting that Orban was merely attempting to “boost personal image at the expense of unity” within the EU regarding support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has conveyed mixed signals about its willingness to engage in negotiations with Russia.
On Wednesday, Zelensky’s senior adviser, Mikhail Podoliak, stated that Ukraine could participate in talks with Moscow only if they did not rely on Russia's conditions. However, Yermak stated on Friday that Ukraine was not prepared to initiate any talks with Russia, citing a lack of sufficient Western support to negotiate from a position of strength.
Meanwhile, Moscow has consistently expressed its readiness to resume negotiations, urging Kiev to come to terms with the new realities “on the ground.” President Putin has indicated that a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from all Russian territories is a crucial condition for any peace discussions.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to Szijjarto, the Ukrainian leadership rejected a request for a phone conversation from Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban in an "unprecedented" fashion. This rejection came after Orban had an hour-long discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a recent interview with the public broadcaster Kossuth Radio, Szijjarto explained that he had reached out to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga and Zelensky's chief aide, Andrey Yermak, to seek permission for a conversation between Orban and the Ukrainian leader. He noted that the request was declined in “a somewhat strained” manner, calling it a “gesture that was quite unprecedented in diplomacy,” but he did not disclose the specific language used by the Ukrainian officials.
Szijjarto highlighted Hungary's efforts during its six-month tenure as EU president, stating that it has tried “everything” to use its position “for a good cause, to initiate a ceasefire and peace negotiations.” Hungary has held the rotating presidency of the EU Council throughout the latter half of the year.
Earlier this week, Orban announced a proposal for a Christmas ceasefire and a significant prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. He remarked, “One side accepted it, the other rejected it,” during his Friday interview with Kossuth Radio.
Zelensky countered by suggesting that Orban was merely attempting to “boost personal image at the expense of unity” within the EU regarding support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has conveyed mixed signals about its willingness to engage in negotiations with Russia.
On Wednesday, Zelensky’s senior adviser, Mikhail Podoliak, stated that Ukraine could participate in talks with Moscow only if they did not rely on Russia's conditions. However, Yermak stated on Friday that Ukraine was not prepared to initiate any talks with Russia, citing a lack of sufficient Western support to negotiate from a position of strength.
Meanwhile, Moscow has consistently expressed its readiness to resume negotiations, urging Kiev to come to terms with the new realities “on the ground.” President Putin has indicated that a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from all Russian territories is a crucial condition for any peace discussions.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
