Ukrainian media say President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Russia.
Orban made the proposal on Tuesday during his meeting with Zelenskyy. The Hungarian leader, who is known for his pro-Russian stance, arrived in Kyiv earlier in the day for his first visit to Ukraine since Russia began its full-scale invasion of the neighboring country over two years ago.
Orban revealed at a news conference after the meeting that he urged Zelenskyy to consider speeding up peace talks by making a ceasefire first.
Ukrainian media quoted Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva as saying that Zelenskyy dismissed the proposal.
Zhovkva reportedly said the president “listened to” Orban, but in response, he “stated Ukraine’s position — clear, understandable, and well-known.”
Zelenskyy has expressed his position of pursuing his peace plan, which includes the withdrawal of Russian forces, saying a ceasefire at this moment is solely in Moscow’s interests.
Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union from Monday through the end of the year.
Continued Russian attacks further victimized civilians in Ukraine. The governor of Dnipropetrovsk says Russian attacks with missiles and drones killed four people and injured 27 in the eastern Ukrainian region on Wednesday.