Of course, there was a fairly frank and exhaustive exchange of views on current international issues, including the Ukrainian conflict, and we talked about possible ways to resolve it, Putin told reporters after negotiations with Orban.
According to the Russian leader, the Hungarian Prime Minister spoke about his recent meetings in Kyiv, where he called for cessation of hostilities to create favorable conditions to begin negotiations with Russia.
In this context, Putin expressed his conviction that Kyiv avoids the idea of a ceasefire, since in this case the reason for extending the martial law regime would disappear.
If Ukraine has to lift martial law, it will mean that it will have to call elections, which were not held, the president explained.
Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential term expired on May 20. The presidential elections, which were to be held in 2024, were suspended in Ukraine, under the pretext of the validity of martial law and general mobilization.
Putin also said that Russia has been and continues to be open to discussing a political and diplomatic agreement in Ukraine, but Kyiv is not willing to do so. And Ukraine’s sponsors continue to try to use that country and its people as a battering ram, as a victim in the confrontation with Russia, he added.
The Kremlin hosted talks between Putin and Orban that lasted more than two and a half hours. The talks were attended by delegations from the two countries that included the foreign ministers.
On the Russian side, presidential advisors Yuri Ushakov and Vladimir Medinski were also present. The latter led the delegation in the talks between Moscow and Kyiv, interrupted by the West.
Hungary will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months. On July 2, in his capacity as his rotating head, the Hungarian Prime Minister visited Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
Orban offered Zelensky the terms of a ceasefire in Ukraine, but he rejected them, according to his office.
The Hungarian Prime Minister himself explained that he represented the European continent, in whose interest is peace, and that this can only be achieved through negotiations with Russia.
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