On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blasted the peace efforts by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
To begin with, Zelensky rejected the notion of having intermediaries, saying that Ukraine needs – and has – direct relations with the United States.
essanews reported:
“President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the importance of Ukraine having direct interactions with the United States. ‘We are currently in a transitional period in the United States. I am in contact with President Trump’, he stated. ‘We have had several meetings and talks. I don’t need intermediaries for this’, Zelensky announced during the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Ukraine.
He added that ‘various politicians are using this for publicity’ and, in this context, referred to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. ‘I will not let him and those like him go first. We need direct relations with the United States’, he emphasized.”
Orbán spoke with Vladimir Putin by phone about Ukraine, using ‘all diplomatic means’ at his disposal to achieve a Christmas ceasefire.
“Zelensky added that until Trump takes office, Ukraine is working with President Joe Biden, who has increased the number of decisions and aid packages for Ukraine. ‘It’s a pity they are intensifying this now, at the end of the term’, he noted. He expressed hope that the Trump administration will support Ukraine and not halt this assistance.”
Zelensky also belittled what he sees as Orbán’s lack of geopolitical power, saying he has no leverage over Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kyiv Independent reported:
“’Ukraine is a strong country and has proven it on the battlefield throughout Putin’s aggression. Does anyone else in Europe have this experience now? No. Does Orbán have such an army? No. How will he put pressure on Putin? With a joke, a smile? Let him keep it’, Zelensky said.
[…] ’Prime Minister Orbán will not succeed. I won’t let him or people like him in’, he said, clarifying that his remarks were directed at Orbán, not the Hungarian people, who he argued overwhelmingly support Ukraine.”
Read more:
Peacemaker Orbán Talks on the Phone With Russia’s Putin – Hungarian PM Floats Christmas Ceasefire, Massive Prisoner Exchange – Ukraine’s Zelensky Harshly Criticizes Him
