Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's initiative to establish a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine and to conduct a significant prisoner of war exchange. The Kremlin communicated its backing on Thursday, aligning with Orban's efforts to find a peaceful resolution and address humanitarian concerns amidst the ongoing conflict.
The endorsement comes despite Ukraine's dismissal of the ceasefire idea. The conflict, which began with Russia's invasion in 2022, has resulted in numerous casualties, with tens of thousands killed and millions displaced, marking the gravest escalation in tensions between Moscow and the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
The proposals from Orban were presented during a phone conversation with Putin on Wednesday, as confirmed by both the Kremlin and Hungarian officials. However, specific details of the proposals were not disclosed.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov conveyed Russia's position, stating, "The Russian side fully supports Orban's efforts aimed at finding a peaceful settlement and resolving humanitarian issues related to the prisoner exchange." Further elaboration on the potential prisoner exchange was provided to the Hungarian embassy by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), according to Peskov.
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