Ukrainian president rejects ceasefire proposal from Hungarian PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire or entering negotiations with Russia, despite Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's proposal during his visit to Kyiv on July 2.

"Regarding the ceasefire, I made it clear that we are at war and cannot simply discuss a ceasefire," he said, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

President Zelenskyy remarked that Russia might exploit a ceasefire to reinforce its forces and resume hostilities. He emphasized that a ceasefire without a clear plan for further actions would merely freeze the conflict rather than resolve it.

The Russia-Ukraine war escalated dramatically on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This conflict has since become the largest and most intense military engagement in Europe since World War II, involving widespread destruction, significant civilian casualties, and massive displacement of people.

By mid-2022, Ukrainian forces began launching successful counteroffensives, regaining control of several key areas, particularly in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions. These efforts were marked by strategic use of Western-supplied weapons and improved coordination among Ukrainian military units. The liberation of occupied territories highlighted Ukraine's resilience and capability to mount effective counterattacks despite the ongoing challenges.