Kremlin states Putin backs Christmas Truce in Ukraine

December 13, 2024 TruthUSA

Russian President Vladimir Putin supports Hungary’s proposal for a Christmas cease-fire and prisoner swap in Ukraine.

The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin backs Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s suggestion for a Christmas cease-fire and prisoner swap in Ukraine. This comes after criticism from Kyiv for not consulting with Ukrainian officials, which was seen as undermining Western unity against Russia’s invasion.

Orban put forward the idea of the cease-fire and prisoner exchange in a conversation with Putin on Dec. 11, as per statements from both the Kremlin and Hungary. Specific details of the proposal were not disclosed.

Following the call on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Orban for boosting his personal image at the cost of unity and emphasized the need for Ukraine’s participation in any talks concerning the war to be productive.

Zelenskyy also commended President-elect Donald Trump and European leaders for their efforts to seek strong solutions for peace with Ukraine’s involvement.

A day later, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin supports Orban’s actions to find a peaceful resolution and address humanitarian issues related to a prisoner exchange in Ukraine.

“The Russian side fully endorses Orban’s efforts toward a peaceful settlement and resolving humanitarian issues associated with the prisoner exchange,” Peskov said on Dec. 12.

Orban criticized Zelenskyy’s rejection of his Christmas cease-fire and prisoner swap proposal in a post on X. He mentioned that there was a clear rejection and ruling out by the Ukrainian president, although Ukraine countered stating that no specific proposal had been presented for acceptance or rejection.

The initiative for a Christmas cease-fire and prisoner exchange in Ukraine has hit a roadblock amid widespread calls for peace negotiations.

Trump, after assuming office, has articulated his intent to facilitate a peace agreement between the two nations promptly. However, he has not outlined the specific strategies but has indicated leveraging his relationships with Putin and Zelenskyy for that purpose.

The President-elect has appointed retired General Keith Kellogg as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.

Kellogg, who co-chairs the America First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, has detailed his approach to ending the conflict in an April report. His recommendations include initiating a formal cease-fire, postponing Ukraine’s NATO membership for a verifiable peace deal, linking U.S. military assistance to Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate, providing limited sanctions relief to Russia, and establishing bilateral defense accords to ensure Ukraine’s long-term safety.

Putin has expressed readiness for dialogue with the incoming U.S. administration regarding the situation in Ukraine. He has expressed certainty in Trump’s ability to handle the complexity of the conflict and pave the way for a peace agreement, while maintaining his conditions for ending hostilities.

In a meeting with Russian Foreign Ministry officials in June, Putin outlined conditions for peace negotiations, including Ukrainian troop withdrawals from contested areas, Ukraine’s adoption of a neutral stance, demilitarization of Ukraine, and the lifting of Western sanctions.

President Joe Biden has committed to ramping up military aid to Ukraine during his tenure, aiming to bolster the country’s position on the battlefield and enhance its bargaining power in forthcoming peace talks.

“As the president made clear, we’re going to continue to provide additional packages right up until the end of this administration,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby in a White House briefing on Dec. 12, coinciding with the announcement of an extra $500 million in military assistance to Ukraine by the U.S. State Department.

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