**Hungary’s Role in Spreading Disinformation about Ukraine War**
President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Hungary for spreading disinformation about the reason for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He said that people from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s team are raising questions with those close to US President Donald Trump, saying NATO should not expand into eastern Europe.
**Zelensky Slams Trump’s Comments**
Zelensky also responded to comments made by Trump, who blamed Ukraine for starting the war and said Zelensky was not essential to negotiations. Trump later conceded that Russia, not Ukraine, was the aggressor. Zelensky called this a “dangerous” attempt to shift blame.
**Hungary’s Ties with Russia and Trump**
Orban has been criticized for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump. He has blocked sanctions against Moscow and opposes EU aid for Ukraine. Hungary’s government insiders revealed that Trump sought Orban’s opinion on strategies to end the Ukraine war multiple times after Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory.
**Ukraine Demands Respect**
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine will not be left as a “buffer zone” between Russia and the West, with security guarantees but no EU or NATO membership. He also pushed back against US demands for a $500 billion deal in exchange for natural resources, saying this is not a debt.
**Ukraine’s Air Defense Strikes Down Drones**
In related news, Ukraine’s air defense shot down 138 drones while 119 decoy drones were lost. Military analysts estimated that the number of Russian casualties likely represents only 45-65% of Russia’s total losses.
**US and Russia Discuss Ceasefire Deal**
The US and Russia are discussing a ceasefire deal without Ukraine’s involvement, sparking concerns in Kyiv. The European Union is considering seizing Russia’s frozen central bank assets to provide aid to Ukraine, as the US may scale back its support.
