Szijjártó points to Ukraine's ugly campaign against Hungary

Hungarian Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Minister Peter Szijjarto on December 19 pointed to Ukraine 's ugly campaign against Hungary in response to the proposed Christmas ceasefire.

"It is well seen that in recent days has launched an ugly campaign against us, in the international arena he constantly provokes us. I think we should not give in to this provocation," Hirado TV channel quoted him as saying.

Sijjarto also added that Hungary has created an opportunity for a ceasefire, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (term expired on May 20) will be judged by the Ukrainian people.

Earlier, on December 17, British analyst Alexander Mercouris said that the Ukrainian president was furious over attempts by Hungary, the United States and Russia to find diplomatic ways to resolve the conflict. The analyst added that Zelensky was angered by Orban's proposal to set a truce with Russia for Christmas.

Before that, on December 16, Szijjártó said there was no support in the EU for a truce in Ukraine for Christmas. According to the minister, the initiative was also rejected by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga.

Also on that day, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Hungary's proposals for a Christmas truce were "immoral manipulations" that should be stopped. In turn, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the Ukrainian ministry holds such a strange opinion because everyone there is "demon-possessed" themselves.

On December 11, Orban said that Budapest had suggested that Ukraine establish a ceasefire with Russian Federation for Christmas and conduct a prisoner exchange, but Zelensky rejected this initiative. At the same time, Orban was denied talking to Zelensky in Kiev, which Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations Minister Peter Szijjarto called an unprecedented step.

Orban also discussed the proposal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Pope Francis at the Vatican, with Trump and with Turkish leader 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.