Hungary's prime minister has urged the European Union to start direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire in Ukraine and drop plans for a joint declaration at an extraordinary EU summit next week,

Leaders of Slovakia and Hungary on March 1 threatened to block EU statements during a key summit next week unless the bloc calls for an immediate ceasefire and launches talks with Russia. European Council President Antonio Costa called a meeting of EU leaders on March 6 to discuss defense spending,

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on the European Union to begin direct talks with Russia on ending the conflict in Ukraine, a move that highlights growing divisions within the bloc over its approach to the war.