Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, made his first trip to Kyiv, Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. During his visit on July 2, 2024, Orban urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider a "ceasefire" in order to "speed up peace talks" with Moscow.
However, Zelensky's office firmly rejected Orban's proposal, reiterating Ukraine's position that a ceasefire would only benefit Russia on the ground. Instead, Ukraine is focused on developing its own comprehensive "peace plan" to end the war, which it plans to present at an upcoming second peace summit.
Orban, who has been one of the most vocal critics of European support for Ukraine, said during a press conference alongside Zelensky: "I asked the president to think about whether we could reverse the order, and speed up peace talks, with making a ceasefire first." He argued that a ceasefire with a "deadline would give a chance to speed up peace talks."
But Zelensky's deputy chief of staff, Ihor Zhovkva, dismissed the idea, stating that Kyiv's "position on this issue is clear, understandable and known." Zhovkva noted that Zelensky had previously rejected a similar ceasefire proposal from French President Emmanuel Macron, citing concerns that it could inadvertently benefit Russia.
Instead, Ukraine is focusing its efforts on preparing for a second peace summit, where it plans to present its own detailed "peace plan" and "roadmap for establishing peace." According to Zhovkva, Ukraine is developing this plan "with all the states that are ready" to participate, including Hungary.
"We are saying that Ukraine will draft its peace plan, a roadmap for establishing peace in Ukraine. It will develop it with all the states that are ready. Hungary is also ready for this. And then, if the aggressor country is ready to listen to this plan, ready to talk about this plan, and not to speak the language of ultimatums, then we are ready for that," Zhovkva said.
The visit by Orban, who has been criticized for his friendly relations with Putin, comes at a critical time in the war. While Ukraine has made significant gains in recent months, with the support of Western military aid, the conflict remains deadlocked, with neither side able to achieve a decisive breakthrough.
Orban's call for a ceasefire is likely driven by a desire to see an end to the war, which has had significant economic and political consequences for Hungary and other Central European countries. However, Ukraine remains steadfast in its position that any ceasefire must be accompanied by a clear path towards a comprehensive peace deal that addresses its core concerns.
As Ukraine prepares to present its own peace plan, it will be crucial
for the international community to rally behind Kyiv's efforts and
ensure that any future negotiations are based on Ukraine's terms and
priorities. The stakes are high, and the path to lasting peace in the
region will require a delicate balance of diplomacy, military support,
and a firm commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial
integrity. Visit my blog at justicepretorius.blogspot.com for more quality content and please support my work at
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Tags: Ukraine, Russia, War, Ceasefire, Peace Plan, Viktor Orban, Volodymyr Zelensky, Hungary, Putin, Diplomacy
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