Zelenskyj condemns trip to the “capital of war” – DW – 18.07.2024

Following Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticized all efforts to reach an agreement with Moscow on Ukraine in which Kyiv is not involved.

In his address to his counterparts at the European Political Community summit in Great Britain, the Ukrainian President called for “unity” in support of Ukraine.

“It is very important for us to maintain unity in Europe, because this unity always leads to strong decisions,” Zelensky said at the summit venue, Blenheim Palace near Oxford.

Orban visited Moscow on July 5 as part of what he described as a peace mission.

“If someone in Europe is trying to solve problems behind the backs of others or even at the expense of others, if someone wants to travel to the war capital to talk and perhaps promise something that goes against our common interests or at the expense of Ukraine or other countries, why should we consider such a person?” Zelensky said.

“The EU and NATO can solve all their tasks without this one person.”

Upon arriving at the summit, Orban told reporters in English when asked about his message to Ukraine: “We are with you.”

However, he added: “It is impossible to find a solution on the battlefield.”

The meeting comes at what Zelenskyy described as a “difficult time” for Ukraine as the Kremlin’s invading forces make steady progress.

rc/fb (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)