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Ukraine condemns Hungary’s ‘peacekeeping’ proposals, calls them manipulative

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Ukraine condemns Hungary’s ‘peacekeeping’ proposals, calls them manipulative
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reacts during a conference with Baden-Wuerttemberg's State Premier in the New Castle in Stuttgart, south-western Germany, on June 19, 2024, ahead of attending the UEFA Euro 2024 football match between Germany and Hungary. (Silas Stein /AFP via Getty Images)

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has criticized Hungary's "peacekeeping" statements as unrealistic and manipulative, calling on Hungarian officials on Dec. 16 to stop distorting the realities of Russia's war against Ukraine for political gain.

The ministry accused Hungary of effectively advocating for Ukraine to surrender to Russian aggression while obstructing international efforts to support Kyiv.

“Hungarian officials once again claim that they can stop the war. However, these statements do not reflect reality. Following Hungary's 'peacekeeping' calls to Moscow, deadly missiles and drones are striking Ukrainian cities and communities,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Hungary’s actual proposals are even further from peacemaking than its statements,” it added, noting that Budapest’s continued unilateral contacts with Moscow undermine collective efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace.

The response came after Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed on Dec. 15 that President Volodymyr Zelensky had “forcefully but politely” declined Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s proposal for a Christmas ceasefire.

Hungary, which maintains close ties with Moscow despite Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has consistently criticized EU sanctions against Russia and blocked initiatives to provide military aid to Kyiv.

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Tim Zadorozhnyy

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Tim Zadorozhnyy is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent covering foreign policy, U.S.-Ukraine relations, and political developments across Europe and Russia. He studied International Relations and European Studies at Lazarski University and Coventry University. Tim began his journalism career in Odesa in 2022 as a reporter for a local television channel. He later spent a year and a half at the Belarusian independent media outlet NEXTA, first as a news anchor and later as a managing editor. He is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.

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