The head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds to criticism. “They want to block the summit in Budapest”
Volodymyr Zelensky decided that Budapest is not the best place to talk about ending the war in Ukraine due to the position of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is favorable to Russia. He added that he would come anyway if he was invited.
What did Volodymyr Zelensky say about Budapest?
How did Peter Szijjarto react to Zelensky's criticism?
When are Rubio and Lavrov supposed to meet?
Will Volodymyr Zelensky take part in the talks in Budapest?
“I don't believe that a prime minister who blocks Ukraine at every step can do anything good for Ukrainians or even make a sustainable contribution” to the talks, Zelensky said, as quoted by Bloomberg.
Earlier on Monday, the head of Hungarian diplomacy announced on Facebook that he would go to Washington on Tuesday. Szijjarto did not explain who he would talk to in the US or what the program of his visit was.
Rubio and Lavrov talks before the meeting in Budapest
On Monday, the foreign ministers of both countries, Marco Rubio and Sergei Lavrov, held a telephone conversation before the planned summit of US and Russian leaders. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described it as constructive. The US Department of State noted that Rubio “stressed the importance of the upcoming meetings as an opportunity for Moscow and Washington to work together to reach a lasting solution to the Russia-Ukraine war, in line with President Donald Trump's vision.”
Rubio and Lavrov are scheduled to meet face-to-face later this week, likely on Thursday. The date of the meeting in Budapest has not yet been set, although Trump said it would take place within two weeks.
