Hungarian PM outlines steps for a holiday truce in ongoing conflict.
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Orban Reveals Christmas Ceasefire Plan |
In a recent proposal for a Christmas ceasefire, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban suggested that Russia and Ukraine trade about 700 captives. This concept was first put up by Orban earlier in December, when he called for a truce during the holidays in order to broker a diplomatic settlement of the ongoing struggle. During a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, he also brought up this idea with Donald Trump, the incoming president of the United States. Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, turned down the plan in spite of this initiative.
Speaking at a joint press conference with EU leaders in Brussels, Orban emphasized that a Christmas truce was still possible, emphasizing the value of human life and stating that no obstacle should hinder such a stop in war, even for a few days. He stated that the war cannot be settled on the battlefield and advocated for more diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful conclusion. Orban recommended that both sides release several hundred prisoners, arguing that such a swap would provide some relief during the holiday season.
But there has been opposition to Orban's initiatives. He acknowledged that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the ceasefire and prisoner swap, and that Putin shown interest by sending proposals to Hungary. However, Hungary's diplomatic efforts were rejected by Ukrainian leaders. In an unusual diplomatic action, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said a request for a similar discussion with Kiev had been turned down. Zelensky vehemently denied Budapest's role in the peace process, publicly declaring that Ukraine did not require Hungary or Orban as a mediator.