Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is neither an experienced politician nor an adept diplomat, a fact he demonstrates in almost every speech he delivers. Lately, however, his approach seems even more unrefined than usual. Last week, in an unsually undiplomatic manner, he dismissed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s proposal for a Christmas ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner exchange. On Tuesday, Zelenskyy once again harshly criticized Orbán for his efforts to promote peace in Ukraine, which are unprecedented at the European level.
Speaking at a meeting of the All-Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is a strong nation, demonstrating its resilience on the battlefield against Putin’s aggression, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
‘Who else in Europe has such experience? No one. Does Orbán have such an army? No. How would he put pressure on Putin? With a joke, a smile? He can keep it,’ Zelenskyy remarked arrogantly.
Zelenskyy continued by stating that Ukraine does not require intermediaries like Orbán and prefers to negotiate directly with the United States. ‘Prime Minister Orbán, who wants to [achieve peace for Ukraine], you know, “somehow, somewhere”—this will not work. I will not allow him or people like him to handle this,’ the Ukrainian president declared.
Kyiv was reportedly outraged after Orbán held a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Wednesday, during which Orbán proposed the Christmas ceasefire. According to Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, Orbán also sought to discuss the truce proposal with Zelenskyy, but the Ukrainian leader rejected it.
Before making the proposal, Orbán also met with US President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where the two discussed potential avenues for achieving peace in Ukraine. In a recent interview with CBS News, Trump’s pick for national security advisor, Mike Waltz, stated that they will ‘take a hard look’ at Orbán’s ceasefire proposal. Waltz also highlighted the strong relationship between Trump and Orbán, noting that the Hungarian prime minister’s ‘regular engagement’ with Russia could play a significant role in future peace efforts.
Orbán was the first European leader to be received by Trump following his election victory on 5 November, underscoring his position as the incoming president’s strongest European ally. In contrast, Zelenskyy only met Trump on 7 December in Paris, where the President-elect urged an immediate ceasefire and the start of negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. Furthermore, the Ukrainian president has not been invited to Trump’s inauguration—perhaps this explains his frustration and childish remarks about the Hungarian PM.
This afternoon Orbán responded firmly and decisively to Zelenskyy’s latest rant. ‘We will not respond to any provocation. There is a ceasefire proposal on the table. Take it or leave it. It’s your responsibility,’ the Hungarian PM wrote in a post on X.
In recent weeks, Orbán has once again demonstrated his refined and experienced diplomatic skills. Perhaps Mr Zelenskyy would benefit from observing and learning, rather than making disparaging comments about him.
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