Russia Orban proposes ceasefire to Selenskyj

SDA

2.7.2024 - 15:59

HANDOUT - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (r) greets Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP/dpa - ATTENTION: For editorial use only and only with full attribution of the above credit
HANDOUT - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (r) greets Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP/dpa - ATTENTION: For editorial use only and only with full attribution of the above credit
Keystone

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi to consider a ceasefire in the war with Russia.

Keystone-SDA

"International diplomatic rules are slow and complicated. I have asked Mr. President to consider whether it would not be possible to reverse the order and speed up the peace negotiations with a quick ceasefire," said Orban, who is considered Russia-friendly, according to a report by the Hungarian news agency MTI in Kiev after a meeting with Selenskyj.

There are currently no negotiations between Kiev and Moscow. Orban visited Kiev on Tuesday for the first time since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"The aim of the Hungarian Presidency is to contribute to solving the challenges facing the European Union. My first trip was therefore to Kiev," the right-wing populist politician wrote on Facebook. Relations between Kiev and Budapest are considered tense.

Hungary has just taken over the EU Council Presidency for six months. He wants to take steps towards peace, Orban announced in an interview shortly before his trip to Kiev.