Hungarian PM Hopes Russia-Ukraine Can Exchange War Brawls Before Orthodox Christmas

JAKARTA - Hungary hopes Russia and Ukraine can agree to a ceasefire and a large-scale prisoner swap before Orthodox Christmas, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

According to him, opposing parties were unlikely to reach such an agreement before Christmas which was celebrated on December 25, while speaking on the radio program Kossuth.

"Therefore, I will try to make it happen before Orthodox Christmas, which is January 7," said the prime minister who had previously submitted this proposal to Moscow and Kyiv, launching TASS December 20.

PM Orban believes that if an agreement is reached, Russia and Ukraine could exchange around 700-800 or even 1,000 prisoners.

"About 1,000 people can return home to meet their families in just two or three days," the prime minister said.

PM Orban reiterated that he would continue to strive to realize this arrangement.

He said he "successfully convinced Russian President Vladimir Putin to consider a ceasefire and proposed prisoner swaps during their conversation on December 11.

Reacting on Hungary's proposal, Russia's Federal Security Service submitted a proposal for a prisoner swap to the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Russia supports the efforts of Hungarian Prime Ministers to find a peaceful settlement over the conflict in Ukraine and deal with humanitarian issues related to prisoner exchanges.

On the other hand, Kyiv is said to have rejected the Hungarian peace initiative on the same day.

PM Orban tried to discuss his initiative with Volodymyr Zelensky over the phone, but President Zelensky is said to have refused to speak with the Hungarian prime minister.

"I think if they sit down and consider this proposal, they can easily change their stance," PM Orban said of Ukraine.