Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said on Wednesday that Hungary’s strategy on the war in Ukraine has proven to be the correct one, arguing it was clear that only a ceasefire and peace talks could put an end to the conflict.
"We have been arguing in favor of ending the war and in favour of a ceasefire and peace talks for over 1,000 days now," the minister said.
"Unfortunately hundreds of thousands have died in our neighbourhood over the last more than one thousand days, and millions or even tens of millions have been forced to leave their homes," he said, adding that the destruction in Ukraine was "dramatic".
But, Minister Szijjártó said, "all of this could be stopped" and could have been prevented if an agreement had been reached on a ceasefire and starting peace talks in line with the Hungarian position.
"Peace is the only solution," the foreign minister said. "There’s no solution to this war on the battlefield, that much has become clear."
The minister said the coming Christmas holiday "could have been an excellent opportunity" for a ceasefire, as it could have saved lives.
"We regret that, despite the efforts of the Hungarian peace mission … Ukraine and the Ukrainian leadership rejected this opportunity for a ceasefire," he said.
"And the fact that the vast majority of European Union countries can’t see the reality of the situation is just as sad," he added.
Minister Szijjártó said as the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump gets closer with each day, the Russian army was also making significant advances on the front line.
"There’s a new reality, a qualitatively new situation, and yet many in Europe are acting as if this hadn’t happened," Minister Szijjártó said. "We regret this; this costs lives, and it’s clear that weapons deliveries don’t solve anything and haven’t changed anything on the battlefield," the minister said.
"The only possible scenario that leads to peace, to saving lives, is a ceasefire and starting peace talks," Minister Szijjártó said.