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Hungary's foreign minister sees a way forward in Ukraine conflict

The foreign minister said Hungary expects Ukraine to demonstrate that it intends to resolve the current situation between the two countries rather than escalate it, not just in words but through actions as well

Hungary's foreign minister sees a way forward in the Ukraine conflict.

Following bilateral talks with his counterpart Pavlo Klimkin in Luxembourg, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Hungary is interested in nurturing “good neighbourly relations” with Ukraine.

The foreign minister also expressed his wish for the nation to be a strong and democratic country that respects its international obligations and views its national minorities as assets. The minister added that Ukraine has no reason not to regard its minorities as assets.

Minister Szijjártó reaffirmed Hungary’s openness to consulting with Ukraine. Hungary considers it important to have open and meaningful communication between the two countries, he added.

The minister said Hungary expects Ukraine to demonstrate that it intends to resolve the current situation between the two countries rather than escalate it, not just in words but through actions as well.

In terms of gestures, “Hungary has done what it could”, he said, noting that the Hungarian government has spent 27.5 billion HUF (84.7 million EUR) on funding economic development schemes in Ukraine over the past four years.

The minister highlighted that Hungary has also hosted some 2,600 children from Ukraine in summer camps and treated 36 Ukrainian soldiers. Hungary provided immediate help in supplying drinking water to western Ukraine when it was asked and provides state scholarships to hundreds of Ukrainian university students.

Minister Szijjártó expressed hope that Ukraine will also make decisions that will allow the two countries to settle their disputes.