“We ask the Ukrainians to stop insulting us, to stop their accusations against Hungary,” Péter Szijjártó said in a press conference following the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs. The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the war has stepped into a new phase, and may now last months or even years.
Szijjártó explained that NATO will not send weapons to Ukraine, and will not take part in the conflict. Member states, however, can decide whether they will do so or not. He said that his Ukrainian colleague “asked for weapons, weapons, and weapons, thus requesting the increase in weapon shipments.”
According to the Foreign Minister, this war is a direct threat to Hungary, as it shares a border with Ukraine. Hungary, he said, will not support energy sanctions on Russia whatsoever, and will not supply weapons to Ukraine.
“The Hungarian people did not want this war,” he said, “the Hungarian people want peace and security.”
They [the Hungarian people] made this all too clear in Sunday’s election, when they took part in the record support of the governing parties, and will now have a record number of representatives at their disposal. In accordance with the Hungarian peoples’ clearly expressed decision, Hungary will continue not to send weapons to Ukraine.”
When asked about current relations with Ukraine, Szijjártó explained that the Ukrainian foreign minister did not seek him out, they did not speak to each other. He said that it’s about time that the Ukrainians finish insulting the Hungarian people, and stop trying to influence Hungarian domestic affairs.
They ask for and expect help while immorally attacking and accusing us. It is difficult to fit these two together.”
Fact
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry recently issued a statement heavily criticizing the Hungarian government for its actions toward the Ukraine-Russian war, accusing Hungary of fueling “the Russian military machine.” Hungary is the only EU country willing to pay for Russian gas in rubles, even though it’s contractually not obligated to do so, and even though such actions would significantly negate the sanctions which have been applied on Russia for starting a war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s statement also highlighted the Hungarian government’s abstention from recognizing Russian war crimes in Bucha.
Szijjártó emphasized that Hungary has accepted 575 thousand refugees from Ukraine, “and if this is how the Ukrainians thank us, then you’re very welcome.”
The Foreign Minister stated that if anyone can match the amount of energy Hungary receives from Russia, “we can begin negotiations.”
So We ask the Ukrainians to stop insulting us, to stop their accusations against Hungary, […] I think it is about time for the Ukrainians to call a halt to their insults.”
Featured photo illustration by Zoltán Balogh/MTI
