Hungary’s Orban claims Zelenskyy binned Christmas ceasefire, Kyiv says by no means mentioned it

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban mentioned Wednesday (December 12) that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a proposal for a Christmas ceasefire and large-scale prisoner alternate within the conflict with Russia.

“We proposed a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner alternate. It’s unhappy that President Zelenskyy clearly rejected and dominated this out as we speak. We did what we may,” Orban wrote on the social media platform X, previously Twitter.

Nonetheless, Ukraine denied any such discussions with Hungary.

“As at all times, the Hungarian aspect didn’t talk about something with Ukraine. As at all times, the Hungarian aspect didn’t warn [us] about its contacts with Moscow,” mentioned Dmytro Lytvyn, a presidential aide, in a written assertion.

The feedback adopted an hour-long name between Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the Kremlin mentioned was initiated at Orban’s request.

In accordance with the Kremlin, the 2 leaders had a “thorough alternate of views on Ukrainian points,” with Putin accusing Kyiv of adopting a “harmful” place that dominated out peace negotiations.

The Kremlin added that Orban expressed an curiosity in serving to “the joint seek for political-diplomatic paths to resolve the disaster.”

The decision got here a day after Hungary’s high diplomat introduced the nation’s intention to proceed with its self-styled Ukraine “peace mission,” regardless of criticism from Kyiv and Western allies over its shut ties with Moscow.

Orban, who has maintained a controversial relationship with Moscow for the reason that begin of the conflict, described the continued battle as coming into “essentially the most harmful weeks.”

The conflict in Ukraine reveals no signal of abating, with Kyiv persevering with to withstand Russian forces whereas in search of stronger help from its allies.

With inputs from businesses