Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that the coming weeks will be crucial for a controversial US proposal to end the war in Ukraine.
The 28-point US plan, backed by President Donald Trump, calls for major concessions from Kiev, including ceding part of its eastern territories to Russia and reducing its military, and appears to meet many of the Kremlin’s demands after a 2022 invasion of its neighbor.
– This peace plan includes proposals on which the Russians and the Americans have already held preliminary talks – Orban said in a radio interview.
– I think we are at a decisive moment, the next two or three weeks will be crucial – he added.
Orban maintains close ties to Moscow, often standing up to the rest of the EU in pressuring Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, and has rekindled relations with Washington since Trump’s return to office.
Budapest was proposed last month to host a US-Russia summit to discuss an end to fighting in Ukraine, but Trump canceled it before the date was set.
– Something will begin to take shape as the peace summit in Budapest approaches. This marks an extremely important new step towards the peace summit in Budapest – Orban said on Friday.
Orban – who faces what is expected to be a close election next year – visited his “dear friend” Trump at the White House this month, securing a one-year exemption from sanctions on purchases of Russian oil and gas.
Trump imposed sanctions on two Russian oil companies in October after losing patience with Russian President Vladimir Putin over his refusal to end his invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reports.
(Vijesti.ba/Fena)
