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In an interview given to the Hungarian news portal Telex, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke about his recent meeting with his Hungarian counterpart, Péter Szijjártó. During the talks, Szijjártó said that the changes adopted in the law on minorities have stopped the negative spiral that has characterized Ukrainian-Hungarian relations. Kuleba also expressed his appreciation for the Hungarian Foreign Minister’s unequivocal support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, Kuleba recalled that while Péter Szijjártó says that the solution is not found on the battlefield and the two sides should negotiate, the Ukrainian government takes a different view. They believe that Russia can only be forced to negotiate on the merits by the results achieved on the battlefield.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó (L), Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak (C), and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (R) hold a press conference in Uzhhorod, January 29, 2024. Photo: MTI/Nemes János
Asked about the “pro-Russian” characterization that Viktor Orbán has been labeled in the past for his emphasis on peace negotiations, Kuleba replied by saying that
I think they are pro-Hungarian. If they were pro-Russian, Peter (Szijjártó) would not have said at the recent meeting that he respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
As far as Hungary’s stance on Ukraine’s EU membership is concerned, Kuleba told Szijjártó that Hungary is part of this big European family, and they want to be part of it too, adding that the Hungarian government’s disputes with the EU should not affect bilateral relations. The Ukrainian politician also stressed that from a security policy point of view, and from the point of view of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, Ukraine’s membership of the EU coincides with Hungary’s strategic interests.
Asked about the Hungarian government’s pasts statements that sanctions against Russia have not brought any results, Kuleba said that the sanctions are working, they are having an effect. However, if loopholes by which sanctions can be circumvented are not closed, they will indeed be less effective. He also recalled that whatever statements have been made by the Hungarian government in this context, it has supported all thirteen sanctions packages.
Via Telex; Featured Photo: Twitter Dmytro Kuleba