Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that he is always open to speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while they are both in Brussels for the EU summit.
When asked if he would present Zelensky with a proposal for a Christmas truce, Orbán responded that the proposal is already on the table and “will either be accepted or not.”
Regarding whether he planned to hold discussions with Zelensky on Thursday, Orbán said: “I operate in standby mode and even sleep in standby mode. I am always ready for any substantive discussion.”
Previously, Orbán had said he would not respond to provocations after Zelensky criticized the Hungarian prime minister for his attempts at “mediation,” emphasizing that Orbán lacks leverage over the aggressor state.
Relations between Kyiv and Budapest have been tense, particularly after Orbán’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following that call, Orbán claimed he had proposed a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange to Ukraine, but alleged that President Zelensky rejected the idea.
