Ukraine Rejects Orban's Christmas Ceasefire and Prisoner Swap Proposal Backed by Russia

Dec 12, 2024, 11:13 AM

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has proposed a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, according to statements from Hungarian officials and the Kremlin. Orban discussed the proposals during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Orban's Chief of Staff stating that Putin was supportive regarding a potential prisoner of war exchange. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has sent the exchange proposal to the Hungarian embassy in Moscow. The Kremlin's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Ukraine has refused all of Orban's proposals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Orban's efforts, emphasizing that discussions about the war should not occur without Ukraine's involvement and accusing Orban of trying to boost his personal image. Orban responded by expressing disappointment, saying, 'We did what we could!' Orban is also scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday as part of his diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine.