Here’s how the conversation really went on BBC’s HARDtalk yesterday:
Reporter: “Do you support Ukraine’s current resistance, its defense of its territory, by military means against the Russian aggressor? Yes or no.”
“We do support Ukraine but not by military means,” I responded.
Then the reporter completely twisted what I was saying.
“You don’t support Ukraine using military means to defend its territory?” asked the BBC reporter completely ignoring what I had just said and what has been the stated position of this government since the beginning. Instead, he was after a sensational sound byte, trying to say that Hungary does not support Ukraine’s right to defend itself.
My reply of “That’s right” was me repeating that Hungary will not provide military aid. The crazy notion that Hungary wouldn’t support Ukraine’s right to defend itself is just that — crazy. We have been absolutely clear from the beginning: Hungary supports the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Every country has the right to defend itself.
Shortly afterward, a reporter at left-wing Telex, more than happy to play the BBC’s game of “gotcha,” then took to Twitter with the twisted story and the fake news was off and running.
It’s really a shame that this is what international, mainstream journalism sinks to: striving to make headlines by twisting my words and spreading fake news.