Viktor Orban: Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin must meet in person! Only they can stop the war

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claims that "must" the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to meet to end the war between the two countries.

Asked on Friday whether a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky was possible, the Hungarian prime minister replied: "Of course. This is necessary! ... The first issue is communication. If there is no communication, the war gets worse and worse," the European edition of Politico reports.

Orban attends the "Ambrosetti" forum in Cernobbio, Italy, where he participated in a panel discussion. According to the program of the forum today (September 7), the Ukrainian president, with whom Orban said he has "good relations", even after the Hungarian leader "met the man who started the invasion of Ukraine", should also be present, writes the Brussels media.

Politico recalls that during the first weeks of Hungary's six-month term as president of the EU Council, Orbán tried to present himself as a "peacemaker" in the conflict in Ukraine, making a surprise visit to Kiev to meet with Zelensky, then flying to Moscow the same week to sit down with Putin.

In recent weeks, both Putin and Zelensky have said they would welcome mediators in a discussion on how to end the war in Ukraine, but do not believe Hungary is an option. Speaking at a panel discussion at Russia's Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, Putin said China, Brazil or India could potentially help in peace talks.

Zelensky said after his meeting with Orban in July that a "peacemaker" there must be either an economy that influences Russia or a powerful military that Putin fears. "The USA is such a country, China and the EU. Not just one country, but the entire European Union," commented Zelensky.