Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday that he has invited President Vladimir Putin to meet the leaders of France, Germany and Ukraine in Budapest, urging the Russian leader to declare an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Open hostilities between Moscow and Kiev broke out when Russia attacked its neighboring state in late February.
“I suggested to President Putin that he declare an immediate ceasefire,” Orban said, as quoted by AFP. “His response was positive, but with conditions,” he added, without elaborating.
Orban’s comments came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Hungary must choose between Russia and the “other world.” It was not the first time Zelensky has criticized the Hungarian leader for what he sees as lack of support against the Russian offensive.
On Wednesday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto urged Kiev to stop “insults” directed at his country. “This is not our war, so we want to and will stay out of it,” he said.