Hungary’s pro-Putin Prime Minister Viktor Orban urges Ukraine to lay down their arms – but Zelensky was less than impressed with the comments

Hungary‘s prime minister Viktor Orban has told Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine needs to lay down its arms in the war with Russia.

Mr Orban – Europe’s most pro-Russian leader – made the comments in Kyiv a day after Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the EU.

The outspoken critic of Western aid to Ukraine has repeatedly blocked or delayed bids by Nato to provide military support. 

He claimed a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could help negotiations to end the war.

Orban claimed a ceasefire would help speed up negotiations to end the war between Ukraine and Russia

But his call for Ukraine to effectively surrender to achieve peace did not elicit a public response from Mr Zelensky, and the body langauge between the men was awkward during their joint appearance.

In his statement after the meeting, Mr Zelensky said it was ‘very important to have Europe’s support for Ukraine maintained at sufficient level… it’s important for co-operation between all the neighbours in Europe to become more meaningful and mutually beneficial’.

Mr Orban said: ‘I have asked the president to consider whether… a quick ceasefire could be used to speed up peace negotiations… I am grateful for his frank dialogue and his answers.’