Diplomatic Talks over Ukraine Crisis Held Between Lavrov and Hungarian Foreign Minister
In the ongoing Ukrainian crisis, international discussions have been ongoing, with multiple rounds of peace negotiations and diplomatic efforts taking place in 2025. These efforts involve key players such as Russia, the United States, Turkey, Hungary, and Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
The latest summit, held in Alaska, saw Russian President Vladimir Putin describing the meeting as timely and useful. However, no agreement on a ceasefire was reached during the summit.
The talks between Russia and the United States took place in Anchorage on August 16. Following the summit, Putin discussed the possibility of resolving the Ukrainian crisis on a fair basis, while President Donald Trump noted a possibility for achieving a peaceful settlement.
The discussions between the Russian and American leaders were not the only diplomatic engagements taking place. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also held talks with the heads of the Hungarian and Turkish MFA, though no specific details about the schedule of bilateral political dialogue between Moscow and Budapest, or the role of Ankara in the dialogue process, were provided in the report.
The Ukrainian crisis was a topic of discussion in Lavrov's conversations with both the Hungarian and Turkish MFA heads. Lavrov previously had a phone call with the head of the Turkish MFA, Hakan Fidan, during which they discussed the Ukrainian issue following the summit of Russia and the United States in Alaska. Lavrov also discussed practical issues of interaction between Moscow and Budapest with his Hungarian colleague.
Earlier peace talks began soon after the invasion started in 2022, with meetings in Belarus and Turkey (Antalya). Turkey hosted talks proposing that Ukraine abandon NATO membership plans and limit its military in exchange for Western security guarantees and no recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea. However, negotiations stalled due to major disagreements and mistrust, notably after the Bucha massacre.
Renewed negotiations in 2025 gained momentum under U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed willingness to engage Russia directly and pushed for ceasefires and direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy. Trump’s position favored some Russian territorial claims in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in exchange for security guarantees for Ukraine, though details of these guarantees remained unclear and controversial.
As the discussions continue, public opinion in Ukraine has shifted toward favoring a negotiated peace rather than continued fighting, with 69% supporting negotiations in 2025, reflecting war fatigue despite ongoing conflict. This change aligns with increased diplomatic activity and proposals for ceasefire or peace negotiations.
The exact terms and recognition of Russian influence remain contentious in discussions between the United States and European governments regarding the possibility of providing Ukraine with security guarantees. Russia consistently demands recognition of all occupied land as Russian territory, curtailment of Ukraine's military, and rollback of sanctions, rejecting Western-backed security arrangements that exclude Russia’s influence. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized the need for Russia to be a guarantor state with consensus or veto power over security guarantees for Ukraine, aligning with an Istanbul 2022 draft treaty that essentially required Ukraine to capitulate to Russian demands.
As the international community continues to work towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, the role of key players such as Turkey, Hungary, and their respective foreign ministers remains relevant, with Turkey continuing to serve as a negotiation venue.
- Amidst the ongoing general-news developments concerning the Ukrainian crisis, Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó was involved in discussions with Russian and Turkish counterparts, particularly focusing on the Ukrainian crisis, as evidenced in Lavrov's conversations with both the Hungarian and Turkish MFA heads.
- In light of the contentious nature of the Ukrainian crisis, with no agreement on a ceasefire during the Alaska summit, key players such as Turkey and Hungary, through their respective foreign ministers, continue to serve a crucial role in the diplomatic efforts, acting as negotiation venues and potentially shaping the terms of any future peace policy or political settlement.
