Sijjarto says no EU support for Ukraine Christmas truce

The Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union has not supported Hungary's proposal for a Christmas cease-fire in Ukraine. This was announced by the head of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry Peter Szijjarto on December 16.

"No one today supported the proposal for a Christmas ceasefire, which could save lives. No one spoke in favor," he said during a speech to journalists, which was broadcast on the minister's Facebook page (owned by the recognized extremist company Meta, its activities are banned in Russia).

In addition, according to the minister, the initiative was also rejected by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga.

According to Sijjarto, only his Slovak counterpart supported keeping the initiative on the agenda, while many of those present opposed the ceasefire.

Earlier, on December 11, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Budapest had suggested that Ukraine establish a ceasefire with Russia for Christmas and conduct a prisoner exchange, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (whose term of office expired on May 20) rejected the initiative. At the same time, Orban was denied in Kiev to talk to Zelensky, which Sijjarto called an unprecedented step.

Orban also discussed the proposal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Pope Francis at the Vatican, with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Hungarian authorities said they would continue to try to broker a truce.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.