Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said the government “has managed to save Hungary from the war and resisted all external pleasure” in the past two years, The Budapest Times reports.
While speaking at a panel discussion in Biatorbagy, outside Budapest, he said this was made possible by Hungary’s “political stability, which is unique in Europe”.
Referring to the war in Ukraine, Szijjártó said:
“We have succeeded in fending off all attempts to make us join the pro-war camp. The government had resisted pressure to make decisions that would have prolonged and escalated the war. There is only NATO country that has not transported arms to Ukraine and that is us… Slovakia is now second, but they send weapons earlier.”
The minister said statements suggesting sending troops to Ukraine were “extremely dangerous”, adding that such remarks could have “dramatic ramifications in such a tense situation.” He added:
“Russia cannot be defeated on the battlefield… but in view of the Western military support, it is not expected that Ukraine could be brought to its knees; sooner or later diplomatic settlement will follow. The question is when the war will bring more deaths, further destruction and further risks of escalation”.
Szijjártó expressed hope that Donald Trump would win the US presidential election and “exert the proper pressure to start peace talks” between the sides.
“The EU’s Ukraine strategy has failed…the sanctions are more painful for Europe than for Russia,” he said adding that “the conflict has been made global rather than being isolated.” Europe’s competitiveness is dwindling, and a “sharp turnaround” is needed, he said, in reference to the upcoming European parliamentary elections.
