"They ask for and expect help while immorally attacking and accusing us. It is difficult to fit these two together," the Foreign Minister said.Continue reading
The perpetrators of the “inhumane acts” in Bucha must be punished, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said after meeting with his EU counterparts in Luxembourg calling it fake news that the Hungarian position has ever been different. Szijjártó’s comments come after international criticism of Viktor Orbán and his government for not condemning the Bucha massacre with necessary severity.
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó attended the latest EU Foreign Affairs Council, after which he reported on social media the main topics of discussion of the EU Foreign Ministers.
In a live Facebook video, Szijjártó said that the situation in Ukraine continued to dominate the agenda, adding that experts predict the war to drag on, considering Russia’s redeployment and the appointment of their new top commander.
Following Ukraine’s request for more weapons, an increase to the European Peace Facility by another EUR 500 million was approved, the foreign minister noted.
“We did not obstruct this decision,” Szijjártó said, but added that the Hungarian government continues to insist that “we will not deliver weapons to Ukraine.”
The Hungarian Foreign Minister also spoke about the mass murders of civilians that took place in Bucha, Ukraine, one of Hungary’s neighboring countries.
“We are unfortunately seeing the consequences of horrific and inhuman acts that we previously thought would be unthinkable in the 21st century Europe. We also urge the swiftest possible international investigation into what happened, whether in Bucha or any other settlement of Ukraine. All those responsible for these terrible acts must be punished.”
He added: “At the same time, we reject the outrageous fake news campaigns that have not only questioned this Hungarian position, but have painted it in an absolutely false light in recent days.”
According to government critical news site 444.hu, during his 28 minute video, the Foreign Minister did not once mention Russia or the name of Vladimir Putin.
Szijjártó added: “Unfortunately, much of this fake news has originated from our neighbor,” but did not specify exactly which country or what news he meant.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister was likely referring to the international criticism Viktor Orbán received a few days ago for his refusal to explicitly condemn Russia over the events in Bucha, Ukraine.
Last Wednesday, during his first press conference after winning the elections, the Hungarian Prime Minister instead urged an “independent and impartial investigation,” in connection with the “atrocities that took place in Ukraine,” since “we live in a time of mass manipulation.”
Jarosław Kaczyński, who has been considered one of the most important allies of Orbán in the EU, slammed the Hungarian Prime Minister for his comments.
“My assessment is unequivocally negative — I must admit that it is all very sad,” Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the country’s ruling Law and Justice party, said in an interview.
“When Orbán says that he cannot see what happened in Bucha, he must be advised to see an eye doctor,” he added.
Prior to the Hungarian elections, Kaczynski had already expressed his dissatisfaction with Viktor Orbán’s cautious stance on Russia.
Following Kaczyński’s most recent and unusually harsh words towards his ally, the Prime Minister’s Press Office released a statement stressing that the he “naturally condemns the Bucha massacre.”
Hungary fully supports an international investigation, the purpose of which is to find out who is responsible for the killings, the statement said.
It was also noted that at his international press conference on Wednesday, PM Orbán made it clear: “…this is a war that was started by the Russians, they attacked Ukraine, and this is an act of aggression.”
Featured photo via Péter Szijjártó’s Facebook page
