#NEGOTIATIONS

Germany’s national leaders have rejected a call by politicians from the country’s eastern states to open peace negotiations with Russia, arguing that the appeal undermines Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is not in a position to mediate between Russia and Ukraine to end the 28-month war, a task he said could only be undertaken by world powers such as China, the U.S., or the EU.

The European Union officially began accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, ten years after the EU signed association agreements with both states.

“During World War II, was anyone serious about peace talks with Hitler?” Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Holy See Andrii Yurash asked, referring to Pope Francis’ recent words about having the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate.