Orban to Zelensky: Ceasefire could expedite talks

MOSCOW. July 2 (Interfax) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has proposed a ceasefire to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky as a way to facilitate peace talks.

Orban made the proposal at a press conference with Zelensky in Kiev, he is visiting as the head of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, Ukrainian media said. The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU began on Monday, July 1.

"Peace is an important issue. [...] I have told Zelensky that his initiatives require a lot of time. The rules of international diplomacy make them extremely complicated. I asked Zelensky to consider the possibility of doing the opposite: ceasing fire before negotiating peace. The thing is that a ceasefire could expedite the talks," Orban said.

He also said he planned to sign a bilateral cooperation agreement with Ukraine.

"We wish to adjust relations between our countries. We wish to sign a global cooperation agreement with Ukraine, same as the agreements we have with our other neighbors," Orban said.

"We will try to end all previous disputes [between our states] and focus on the future," he said.

Hungary has repeatedly criticized Kiev for the policy on ethnic minorities, including Hungarians.

"Hopefully, problems will also be solved in this area, I see a good chance to do it," Orban said.

He added that Hungary would contribute to modernizing the Ukrainian economy to the extent of its ability.