The conflict between Moscow and Kiev cannot be resolved on the battlefield, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. Speaking in Budapest on Friday, Szijjarto predicted that the conditions for negotiations to end the Ukrainian conflict would only worsen in the future. He believes that at present, Moscow is prepared to seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis, while Kiev and its allies, including the US and NATO, continue to refuse to enter into talks.
“There will be no better conditions for peace negotiations than the present,” Szijjarto told journalists after his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. “Yesterday’s conditions were better than today’s, and tomorrow’s conditions will be worse than today’s,” he added. Hungary has emerged as one of the most active advocates for a negotiated solution to the ongoing conflict. The country’s officials, including Szijjarto and Prime Minister Viktor Orban, have consistently called for a ceasefire and peace deal in Ukraine. They have also criticized the European Union for providing arms to Kiev, and have argued that anti-Russia sanctions only harm Europe more than they hurt Moscow. In fact, Orban went as far as stating in an interview with German tabloid, Bild, that a Ukrainian victory on the battlefield is “impossible.”
This week, Prime Minister Orban also expressed the view that Kiev had virtually “run out of strength,” and that the only thing keeping Ukraine “alive” was Western financial assistance. In response, Moscow has repeatedly signaled its readiness for peace talks with Ukraine. However, it has also blamed Kiev for the lack of progress in diplomacy, citing a decree signed last year by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that prohibits talks as long as Russian President Vladimir Putin remains in power. Zelensky has maintained that talks with Moscow can only start after Russian forces withdraw from all Ukrainian territory within its 1991 borders, including Crimea. Russia, on the other hand, has rejected these demands as unrealistic.
Speaking at the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg on Friday, Putin emphasized that the ongoing conflict is rooted in the threats posed to Russia’s security by NATO. He stated that Washington and its allies “reject negotiations on the issues of assuring equal security.” The Russian President’s remarks highlight the deep divisions and differing perspectives that continue to hinder progress in resolving the Ukrainian conflict.
In conclusion, Szijjarto’s statement that the conflict between Moscow and Kiev cannot be resolved on the battlefield underscores the need for diplomatic negotiations. Both sides need to be willing to engage in meaningful dialogue and find a peaceful solution to end the ongoing conflict. The conditions for talks may not be favorable now, and they may worsen in the future. However, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize diplomacy and work towards a lasting peace agreement.
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