Putin: ‘Russia is in favor of a definitive end to the conflict (in Ukraine)’

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow is in favor of a permanent solution to the crisis in Ukraine, not just a ceasefire, saying, ‘Russia is in favor of the conflict being completely and definitively ended.’ Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban held a joint press conference at the Kremlin after a meeting lasting about 2.5 hours. Putin emphasized that they had important discussions on international and regional issues, including the situation in Ukraine, with Orban, who recently held talks in Kiev and made a series of proposals. He also called for negotiations to begin with Russia. Putin stressed that Russia always supports the resolution of conflicts through diplomatic means, but they hear from the other side that they do not want to resolve the conflict in this way. The sponsors of the conflict are trying to use the Ukrainian people as victims against Russia in the war. According to what we heard from Prime Minister Orban, Kiev is still not ready to end the war.’

‘Conditions for peace in Ukraine: Donbas, Zaporizhia, and Kherson’
Putin highlighted that the Kiev government does not want to end the war in the country as it would mean going to elections, claiming that the current leaders of Ukraine have close to zero chance of winning possible elections. Putin emphasized that Russia has announced its conditions to end the war, stating, ‘There should not be a ceasefire or a kind of pause that Kiev regime would use to compensate for its losses, regroup, and rearm. Russia is in favor of the conflict being completely and definitively ended.’ Putin stated that for peace, Ukraine should withdraw all its forces, especially from the Donbas, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions.

‘Orban pledges to fight for peace’
Hungarian Prime Minister Orban said in his speech that the most important task of Hungary within the framework of the EU Presidency is to fight for peace. He emphasized that what Europe needs is peace and that the shortest way to peace must be found. Orban used the following words, ‘I wanted to hear the Russian President’s thoughts on three important issues: his thoughts on peace initiatives, what he thinks about ceasefire and peace negotiations, the order in which these should take place, and also how he sees post-war Europe.’ Orban underscored that Moscow and Kiev have distant positions on the conflict and said that significant efforts are needed to end the war.