Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's initiative to broker a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine and facilitate a major prisoner exchange, according to the Kremlin on Thursday. Despite Orban's diplomatic overtures, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the proposals, underscoring the deep divisions that persist in the nearly two-year conflict.
"The Russian side fully supports Orban's efforts aimed at finding a peaceful settlement and resolving humanitarian issues related to the prisoner exchange," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated. The Kremlin also indicated that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) provided additional details about a potential prisoner exchange to Hungary's embassy.
Orban, who communicated his proposals during a call with Putin on Wednesday, described the current period as "the most dangerous weeks of the war" and reaffirmed Hungary's dedication to achieving peace. "We did everything in our power!" Orban declared on platform X, expressing disappointment over Zelenskyy's refusal to consider the ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
Zelenskyy, however, dismissed the overtures, reiterating Ukraine's longstanding demand for robust security guarantees. Kyiv insists that any lasting peace must include membership in NATO to prevent further Russian aggression. Conversely, Moscow has firmly stated that Ukraine joining NATO or hosting NATO troops is unacceptable.
The disagreement highlights the persistent geopolitical stalemate. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and precipitated the most significant East-West confrontation since the Cold War's Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Peskov emphasized Russia's willingness to engage in peace talks based on the Istanbul Agreements of 2022 but reiterated Putin's conditions for an end to the conflict. These include Ukraine renouncing its NATO ambitions and withdrawing forces from four regions claimed by Russia.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy's rejection of the proposed ceasefire drew criticism from Orban, who suggested the decision undermined peace efforts. Orban said it was sad that Zelenskiy clearly rejected the proposals.
International responses to the proposals remain mixed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has styled himself as a master negotiator, has pledged to bring a swift end to the war upon taking office. However, Trump has yet to provide details on how he plans to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape to achieve peace.
