Kiev also refused a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia, according to Hungary’s Prime Minister.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected a proposed Christmas truce and a significant prisoner exchange with Russia.
Orban’s comments on X followed a post by Zelensky criticizing a phone call between Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier that day.
“During Hungary’s EU Presidency, we pursued peace initiatives. We suggested a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange. It’s regrettable that Zelensky rejected this outright. We did all we could!” Orban wrote.
Zelensky accused Orban of using diplomacy to “boost his personal image,” adding, sarcastically, that he hoped Orban “won’t call Assad in Moscow for another lengthy lecture.”
“No one should prioritize self-promotion over unity; everyone must focus on shared success. European unity is essential for this. Discussions about Russia’s war against Ukraine cannot happen without Ukraine’s involvement,” Zelensky wrote.
Following the social media exchange, Dmitry Litvin, a Zelensky aide, denied any contact between Kiev and Budapest regarding a proposed Christmas ceasefire or prisoner swap, implicitly contradicting Orban.
“Ukraine hasn’t authorized Hungary to act. Ukraine actively works to free prisoners, and significant exchange talks have been underway for two weeks, aiming for completion by year’s end,” Litvin told Ukrainian media.
The aide seemed to concur with Zelensky’s assessment of Orban’s motives, asserting that Ukraine needs “not publicity, but a just peace, and not empty talk, but reliable security guarantees.”