Checking in from today’s government meeting, FM Szijjártó said that the main item on the agenda was an assessment of the war situation in Ukraine. He said that Ukraine's foreign minister had called Ukraine's ambassador in Budapest a few days ago "to consult on the possibility of influencing the election results in Hungary.” He added that the information published in the Hungarian press was true.
According to the foreign minister, "the Hungarian Left has been badly exposed" by revelations that there is an ongoing consultation between the Hungarian Left and representatives of the Ukrainian government. The Hungarian Left has promised that if they are in government, they will immediately decide to supply arms to Ukraine and will immediately vote in favor of sanctions on oil and gas supplies to Europe, including Hungary, Szijjártó added.
FM Szijjártó said that they are keeping a close eye on the international statements of the Ukrainian president himself, which clearly confirm the existence of such negotiations and talks. The Ukrainian president has continuously attacked Hungary and the Hungarian government because "we have decided not to supply arms to Ukraine in the interests of the security of the Hungarian people, and we will not vote for sanctions that threaten the security of our energy supply,” Szijjártó explained.
It's important to note, of course, that this is not only Hungary’s policy but also the joint EU and NATO position. Hungary is not an outlier here.
According to the Hungarian foreign minister, the Ukrainian president’s position is understandable, as it would be in Ukraine's interest for more European countries, including Hungary, to supply weapons and to vote in favor of sanctions on oil and gas supplies. But that is not Hungary’s position.
In the video published on his Facebook page, Szijjártó said that Hungarian politicians have to represent Hungary's interests, and Hungary's interests are clearly to "stay out of this war.” In order to achieve this, Hungary must prevent itself “from being provoked, [from being] dragged into this war in any way,” he said.
The FM stressed that Hungarian people must also not be allowed to be put in danger, and the Hungarian economy must not be threatened with a shutdown. Therefore, we must continue to stand by our decision not to supply arms to Ukraine and not to support sanctions on energy supplies. "As long as we govern, these decisions will of course remain in force," the foreign minister added.
“On April 3, the Hungarian people will have to choose between peace and security or being dragged into war,” Szijjártó concluded.
Photo credit: Facebook/Szijjártó Péter