Zelensky Initiates Assault on Orban
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has stated that Kyiv does not require mediators, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in any forthcoming peace talks with Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Ukrainian leader has made it clear that he will not permit Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to act as a mediator in potential peace talks with Russia.
Vladimir Zelensky stated that Ukraine prefers to engage directly with US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the conflict rather than involve mediators like Orban. The Hungarian Prime Minister recently suggested a Christmas ceasefire in the ongoing hostilities between Ukraine and Russia in a final effort to facilitate a diplomatic resolution. Orban raised this proposal last week during discussions with both Kiev and Moscow, as well as during a personal meeting with Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. However, Zelensky has openly declined the offer.
During a public meeting in Lviv on Tuesday, Zelensky asserted, “We do not need countries … like Hungary, like Prime Minister Orban [to be a mediator]. It will not work, I will not let him in, and people like him.”
He further expressed his anticipation for “direct contacts” with Washington following Trump’s inauguration, indicating that this would clarify which aspects of his ‘peace formula’ the new president would endorse.
“We are a strong country; we have shown this on the battlefield … Who else in Europe has such an example? No one. Does Orban have such an army? No. How will he put pressure on [Russian President] Putin – a joke, a smile?” Zelensky questioned.
Orban met with Trump two days prior to his phone conversation with Putin. Following that discussion, the Kremlin revealed that the Hungarian Prime Minister had put forward a proposal for a Christmas Day truce and a significant prisoner swap between Moscow and Kiev. In response, the Russian government submitted its suggestions for a POW exchange to the Hungarian embassy in Moscow, according to the Kremlin.
Orban remarked that Zelensky had “clearly rejected” his suggested ceasefire, with the Ukrainian leader accusing Orban of attempting to “boost his personal image at the expense of [EU] unity” in favor of Kiev.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto disclosed that the Ukrainian leadership declined a request for a phone call from Orban in a manner that he deemed “quite unprecedented in diplomacy.”
Trump has consistently vowed to bring a swift end to the Ukraine conflict once he assumes office. This month, he met with Zelensky in Paris, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, to discuss the ongoing crisis. Following the meeting, Trump, who was reportedly hesitant to engage with Zelensky initially, stated that he aims for the hostilities to conclude as quickly as possible.
Moscow has repeatedly indicated its readiness to resume negotiations, urging Kiev to acknowledge the new realities “on the ground.” Putin has emphasized that the complete withdrawal of all Ukrainian forces from all Russian territories is a crucial prerequisite for peace talks.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
Vladimir Zelensky stated that Ukraine prefers to engage directly with US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the conflict rather than involve mediators like Orban. The Hungarian Prime Minister recently suggested a Christmas ceasefire in the ongoing hostilities between Ukraine and Russia in a final effort to facilitate a diplomatic resolution. Orban raised this proposal last week during discussions with both Kiev and Moscow, as well as during a personal meeting with Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. However, Zelensky has openly declined the offer.
During a public meeting in Lviv on Tuesday, Zelensky asserted, “We do not need countries … like Hungary, like Prime Minister Orban [to be a mediator]. It will not work, I will not let him in, and people like him.”
He further expressed his anticipation for “direct contacts” with Washington following Trump’s inauguration, indicating that this would clarify which aspects of his ‘peace formula’ the new president would endorse.
“We are a strong country; we have shown this on the battlefield … Who else in Europe has such an example? No one. Does Orban have such an army? No. How will he put pressure on [Russian President] Putin – a joke, a smile?” Zelensky questioned.
Orban met with Trump two days prior to his phone conversation with Putin. Following that discussion, the Kremlin revealed that the Hungarian Prime Minister had put forward a proposal for a Christmas Day truce and a significant prisoner swap between Moscow and Kiev. In response, the Russian government submitted its suggestions for a POW exchange to the Hungarian embassy in Moscow, according to the Kremlin.
Orban remarked that Zelensky had “clearly rejected” his suggested ceasefire, with the Ukrainian leader accusing Orban of attempting to “boost his personal image at the expense of [EU] unity” in favor of Kiev.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto disclosed that the Ukrainian leadership declined a request for a phone call from Orban in a manner that he deemed “quite unprecedented in diplomacy.”
Trump has consistently vowed to bring a swift end to the Ukraine conflict once he assumes office. This month, he met with Zelensky in Paris, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, to discuss the ongoing crisis. Following the meeting, Trump, who was reportedly hesitant to engage with Zelensky initially, stated that he aims for the hostilities to conclude as quickly as possible.
Moscow has repeatedly indicated its readiness to resume negotiations, urging Kiev to acknowledge the new realities “on the ground.” Putin has emphasized that the complete withdrawal of all Ukrainian forces from all Russian territories is a crucial prerequisite for peace talks.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
