"The only path forward is negotiations and a ceasefire."Continue reading
On Monday, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced in Brussels that Hungary has once again opted out of contributing to the European Union’s EUR 6.5 billion arms reimbursement fund for Ukraine. Speaking after a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the politician emphasized Hungary’s consistent stance against arms shipments, asserting that his country will not support initiatives that escalate the conflict.
“Hungary has never delivered arms and will not contribute to any arms transfers,” the minister stated. He confirmed that while Hungary would not block other member states from voluntary contributions, it remains steadfast in its refusal to participate in binding commitments to finance military aid. Hungary’s share of the fund would have been EUR 77 million.
Minister Szijjártó also criticized EU proposals to relocate a coordination unit to Kyiv and deploy advisors to Ukraine to oversee reforms in the security sector. He described such actions as “extremely dangerous and risky” in terms of escalating tensions.
We see it as irresponsible to station EU personnel in Kyiv under any framework, whether for training or coordination,”
he remarked.
The politician addressed the recently adopted fifteenth package of EU sanctions against Russia, including provisions enabling Hungary’s MOL Group to export products refined from Russian oil. Szijjártó described the negotiations as a success for Hungary, noting that proposals deemed excessive were excluded. “Among these ‘crazy ideas’ was the suggestion to sanction Patriarch Kirill and Russia’s ambassador to the UN,” Mr. Szijjártó said. He argued that targeting religious leaders undermines dialogue and jeopardizes peace efforts. He also criticized attempts to sanction the Russian Olympic Committee and top football clubs, calling such measures an overreach into geopolitics.
Highlighting a shift in the geopolitical landscape, he pointed to recent developments, including Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election and Russia’s military advances. He criticized the EU for ignoring these realities and continuing what he described as a “pro-war strategy.”
“Despite the approach of Christmas, no one at today’s meeting supported a ceasefire to save lives,” he lamented. Minister Szijjártó also expressed dismay over proposals to withhold social assistance from Ukrainian men of military age living in the EU.
Turning to Georgia, the foreign minister accused the EU of political bias against the conservative Georgian Dream party, which has been in power for 12 years. The minister defended Georgia’s government, citing economic achievements and electoral support.
Minister Szijjártó and his Slovak counterpart vetoed sanctions targeting Georgian police chiefs, arguing that the EU’s portrayal of the Tbilisi protests was one-sided.
“Forty police officers were injured during the demonstrations, yet the narrative here paints a different picture,” he said.
“The European Union has set a world record for political hypocrisy regarding Georgia,” said FM Péter Szijjártó after vetoing proposed sanctions against Georgian police leaders with his Slovak counterpart. He criticized Brussels for targeting Georgia simply because “a… pic.twitter.com/S41BDaiQpB
— Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) December 16, 2024
Via MTI; Featured image via Facebook/Szijjártó Péter