Hungary's Orbán suggests ceasefire to Zelenskyy ahead of peace talks with Russia
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine should cease fire and start negotiations with Russia, says Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
According to him, the war has a very intense impact on the security of Europe.
He says that he appreciates all of President Zelensky's initiatives to achieve peace, but these initiatives take a long time. The rules of international diplomacy make them difficult.
"And I have asked Mr. President to think about whether we can take a slightly different approach. To take a break. To ceasefire and then continue, to start negotiations," Orbán said.
He added that a ceasefire could speed up the pace of these talks. "I told the president this, and I am grateful to the president for his frank opinion on this," the Hungarian PM said.
Orbán's visit to Kyiv
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán arrived in Kyiv on July 2. He said that his visit to Kyiv was related to Budapest's presidency in the EU Council.
Before the visit, he promised to take the "first step" toward establishing peace in Ukraine.
Orbán is known for his friendship with Vladimir Putin and has consistently blocked EU aid to Ukraine.
Hungary is the only country in Europe that Ukrainians perceive as hostile.
