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PM Orbán says Christmas ceasefire and large-scale POW swap are realistic
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Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Thursday that there was no consensus within the European Union regarding the war in Ukraine, so everything had to be done in connection with the war within the framework of bilateral diplomacy and not on behalf of the Hungarian EU presidency.
Ceasefire at Orthodox Christmas?
Orbán told a joint press conference with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen after the EU summit in Brussels that the Ukraine war was the most important political issue but he had essentially no room for maneuvering on the matter because there was no consensus in the EU and it was therefore not possible to act on behalf of the European Council.
“So everything that could be done in the issue of the war had to be done independently from the presidency, not under the presidency’s framework. Actually under the arrangements of bilateral diplomacy,” Orbán said.
Orbán said much had been done, for instance a proposal for a Christmas ceasefire which had been presented outside the framework of the presidency.
In response to a question, he said he was aware that everyone wanted lasting peace and was thinking along the line of greater geopolitical context but Hungary had its own limits such as its size and its international influence corresponded to that.
He said he could see no obstacle to preventing the death of people in the frontline during the two or three days of Orthodox Christmas and to an agreement between the sides about the exchange of 700 prisoners from each side.
He added that this might be a small achievement compared to geopolitical goals, but if a few thousand fewer people die during Christmas, and if a few hundred or thousand fathers can return home to their families, it will be a European value.
We must take back leadership from the generals
Answering another question, Orbán said that he had seen in the past three years that there was no solution to the war on the battlefield. “I have seen some combative statements, military maneuvers, new weapons, hundreds of thousands dying, hundreds of thousands getting crippled, and who knows how many widows and orphans,” he added. Orbán said it was time for diplomacy to take back leadership from the generals, otherwise the war will not end within the foreseeable future.
In response to a question about how Donald Trump would end the Russia-Ukraine war as US president “in 24 hours”, Orbán said he had no authorisation to talk about the plans of other leaders. He said he had personally met Trump in the past two weeks, had a very long discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and also met the president of Turkiye. He added that “even if everyone has something on their mind” he could only speak about his own plans.
Assessing the Hungarian presidency coming to an end on December 31, Orbán expressed thanks to von der Leyen and the EC for their excellent cooperation, and said that they had been able to put aside all political disputes in order to advance important matters. He also expressed thanks to Costa and his predecessor Charles Michel, saying that they had also done much in the interest of success.
Hungary’s political presidency
Orbán said there had been unprecedented security challenges in the past six months, with wars in Ukraine, in the Middle East and Africa, with a permanent danger of escalation. Illegal migration and its consequences threaten with the disintegration of the Schengen area, and economic indicators show that the EU is losing its global competitiveness, falling increasingly behind the main economic competitors.
Sounds very much like Mr. Putin acolyte Patriach Kirill, last year. Intentional?
https://www.thedailybeast.com/warmonger-russian-orthodox-patriarch-kirill-calls-for-ceasefire-in-ukraine/
Re the picture – guy has taste, right?
Orban has no right to appoint himself as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia. No one wants him in such a role except himself and possibly Putin. Orban and Hungary have been thoroughly tainted through almost three years of pro-Russian actions. Orban has not made a single critical word of Russia but uses all of his “peace initiatives” as a propaganda opportunity to publicly bash Zelensky and Ukraine who are under brutal Russian assault. Orban and Fidesz has no credibility whatsoever to act in this role and anyone who wants to act in such a manner must first seek agreement with Ukraine.
Zelensky refused to even consider cease fire during X-mas. Guess what, Zelensky was complaining about the continuous barrage of drones and rockets hitting Ukraine. The lack of cease fire was Zelensky’s plan; Zelensky felt that he could get more money out of the west if Ukraine is attacked during X-mas.