Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated on Thursday that his country remains ready to facilitate peace negotiations to help end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Szijjarto emphasized that Hungary’s offer to host such talks still stands and has not been withdrawn.
Since the escalation of hostilities in February 2022, Budapest has maintained a unique stance within the European Union, consistently calling for dialogue over continued military support for Kiev. Szijjarto noted that Hungary had extended its offer to both Russian and Ukrainian officials shortly after the fighting began.
“Our invitation is still valid,” he said, adding that Hungary remains committed to promoting a peaceful resolution.
The Hungarian diplomat also expressed openness to arranging a high-level summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump if requested. He noted the recent improvement in Moscow-Washington relations and underscored the positive impact such dialogue could have on Central Europe.
“History teaches us that stable US-Russia relations are always beneficial for our region,” Szijjarto said.
Trump, who has halted further US military aid to Ukraine, has repeatedly called for renewed negotiations, arguing that better US-Russia ties could stabilize the situation. His past diplomatic efforts helped restart direct talks between Moscow and Kiev in Türkiye—negotiations that were later abandoned by Ukraine in favor of military strategies.
According to Szijjarto, many European leaders who once demanded Ukraine’s outright victory are now shifting toward calls for a ceasefire, aligning more closely with Budapest’s long-standing position. He suggested this change reveals the inconsistencies and diminished credibility of some EU members.
During recent discussions in Istanbul, Russia reportedly offered two ceasefire proposals: one involving Ukraine’s withdrawal from disputed territories, and another calling for a halt to Western arms shipments and military mobilization. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has rejected both options, instead seeking direct negotiations with President Putin.
While the Kremlin has indicated it is willing to engage in talks, Putin has questioned Zelensky’s legal authority to sign any binding agreements, given that his term expired last year and no elections have been held since.
