Hungarian Prime Minister and current President of the EU Council Viktor Orban has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev to consider a ceasefire.
Zelensky stressed the importance of a "just peace" for his country, AFP reported.
"I have asked the president to consider the possibility of a quick ceasefire, which would be time-limited and would allow to speed up peace talks," said Viktor Orban, the only EU leader who remains close to the Kremlin and who has not visited Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.
He said the conversation with Zelensky had been "frank". "Of course, I will report (the content) of these talks to the Council of the European Union so that the necessary European decisions can be taken," he said.
At a press conference, Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the Hungarian leader's visit illustrated "common European priorities and the importance of achieving a just peace in Ukraine and in Europe as a whole."
The Ukrainian head of state also called for European military aid to Kiev to be kept "at a sufficient level".
Hungary has just taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and has been accused of being closer to Russia than to the rest of the EU.
The Hungarian Prime Minister, too, has stood out for his opposition to the disbursement of the amount of this aid, which is extremely valuable to Ukraine in its relations with Russia.
Earlier this year, he vetoed a EUR 50 billion package. It was eventually approved, but only after a delay criticised by Ukrainian officials.
Because of this, relations between Volodymyr Zelensky and Viktor Orbán are rather chilly, and their rare meetings are closely watched.
Nevertheless, the Hungarian leader has spoken of his desire to "improve" bilateral relations between Budapest and Kiev.
"We are trying to put the discussions of the past behind us," he said, thanking his host for the "frank and open" atmosphere of their exchanges.
Ukraine sees the withdrawal of Russian forces from its territory as a precondition for peace, while Moscow insists it must give up five regions and abandon its NATO membership ambitions. | BGNES
