Budapest - Saba:
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called on the European Union to join the "American approach" in dealing with the conflict in Ukraine, considering that there is no point in pursuing separate paths.
In an interview with the Hungarian TV2 channel, Orbán said, "If Europe seeks a ceasefire in Ukraine, abandons sanctions, and returns to normal economic cooperation with Russia, this will open up enormous economic opportunities for it."
He added, "The Europeans must realize that there is no point in pursuing divergent paths. Let's join the Americans."
Orbán indicated that the solution lies in direct negotiations between the United States and Russia, followed or preceded by a Russian-European dialogue, because "Russian-Ukrainian negotiations alone will not end this war."
The Hungarian Prime Minister expressed his hope for a meeting soon between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump to discuss the Ukraine situation, sanctions, and economic cooperation.
President Putin had called on Kyiv to resume direct negotiations without preconditions in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 15, stressing the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement during these negotiations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is seriously seeking a long-term peaceful solution aimed at eliminating the root causes of the conflict and ensuring its interests.
The Russian-Ukrainian negotiations took place on Friday in Istanbul, Turkey, and lasted for about two hours. Vladimir Medinsky, aide to the Russian president and head of the delegation, said, "The two sides agreed to implement a comprehensive prisoner exchange of 1,000 for 1,000, and they also discussed possible visions for a ceasefire."
The Ukrainian delegation requested a meeting between the leaders of the two countries, a request Moscow took into consideration. Medinsky confirmed Russia's readiness to continue negotiations before the Russian delegation left Turkey.
Moscow has repeatedly emphasized its ability to withstand Western pressure and sanctions, which have failed to achieve their goals and have harmed the global economy more than they have Russia.