Zelenskyy Expresses Doubts About Budapest as Venue for Ukraine Peace Talks

Zelenskyy Raises Concerns About Budapest as Potential Negotiation Site

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism about holding peace talks to end the conflict in Ukraine in Budapest, citing the perceived pro-Russia stance of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. However, Zelenskyy affirmed that he would attend such talks if invited.

In his remarks, Zelenskyy criticized Orban, stating, "I don't think that a head of state who obstructs Ukraine at every turn can do something positive for Ukrainians, or even make a balanced contribution." He noted that Orban has repeatedly attempted to block EU sanctions against Russia and has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Alternative Options on the Table

Despite these reservations, Zelenskyy asserted that if he were invited to Budapest, "if the form of the invitation is a tripartite meeting, or so-called 'shuttle diplomacy' – where President Trump first meets with Putin and then meets with me – then we would agree to that, in any form."

Zelenskyy's comments follow former U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of plans to hold a meeting with Putin in the Hungarian capital in the coming weeks. Trump had a phone call with the Russian president, and less than three months ago, they held a summit at a military base in Alaska, but it yielded little tangible progress in ending the conflict.

While receiving Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump urged both sides to reach an agreement, calling for an "immediate ceasefire on the front lines." At the same time, he was ambiguous about military aid to Ukraine and the threat of new sanctions against Russia.

The Importance of Location in Negotiations

Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of choosing the right location for negotiations, stating, "We have stated publicly and privately that we are ready to hold talks in any effective format. I don't think Budapest is the best place to hold such a meeting. But obviously, if it leads to peace, it doesn't matter in which country the meeting is held."

Zelenskyy revealed that he had spent "enough time" meeting with Trump's envoy, Kurt Volker, explaining why Budapest was not suitable as a negotiation site, suggesting alternatives such as Switzerland, Austria, the Vatican, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.

Ukraine's Aspirations

The Ukrainian leader had hoped to exert further pressure on Putin through White House talks, urging the United States to sell "Tomahawk missiles" to his country. But he returned empty-handed, as Trump abandoned the idea of arming Ukraine with weapons capable of reaching Moscow and the Russian interior.

Zelenskyy noted that "in some circles in the United States, there is a belief that 'Russia is gaining the upper hand on the battlefield'. In my opinion, among those who constantly promote the so-called unconditional advantage of Russia in this conflict is the current Hungarian Prime Minister."

Zelenskyy stressed that he had informed Trump that considering Budapest as a venue for talks was historically unfavorable to his country, because in 1994, Ukraine agreed there to give up its Soviet-era nuclear weapons in exchange for guarantees from Russia, the United States, and Britain for its territorial integrity. In 2014, Russia violated the so-called "Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances" when it annexed Crimea from Ukraine.

Towards a Potential Solution

Despite everything, Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism, saying, "I can assure you that we are one step closer to the possibility of ending the conflict. This does not mean that the conflict will definitely end, but President Trump has achieved a lot in the Middle East, and he wants to use this momentum to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict."

Military Aid

In a separate context, Zelenskyy revealed that his government is preparing a contract to purchase 25 "Patriot" air defense systems, which will be "delivered in batches over the coming years, in different numbers each year." He said, "As long as there is political will, the White House can change the delivery schedule."

Energy Security

In addition, Ukraine is working to secure natural gas supplies after Russian air strikes in recent weeks destroyed more than half of domestic gas production. These attacks have caused power shortages, putting the country in a precarious situation before the winter.

Zelenskyy concluded by saying, "We estimate that in very difficult circumstances, Ukraine must be prepared to raise $2 billion worth of gas. We have already secured some funding in installments."