FM: Preparations for NATO’s Ukraine mission have been progressing at full tilt

Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said preparations for NATO’s Ukraine mission have been progressing at full tilt in recent weeks, adding that this was “extremely dangerous” and contrary to the alliance’s original mission, as the organization was not under attack. “There is no need to use war rhetoric or create war tension,” the foreign minister said. “This is a defense alliance, not one designed to attack.” He said the government had made it clear in recent weeks that “no Hungarian soldiers can take part in such operations, no Hungarian territories can be used for such operations and no Hungarian taxpayers funds can be used either.” Yet Hungary was being “put under pressure to join this”, he added. “Naturally, I will continue to resist tomorrow, and make it clear that there is no way Hungary can be forced to join this operation. And it is still unclear how the mission can go ahead without Hungarian taxpayers’ money being used. So heated debates can be expected tomorrow,” Minister Szijjártó said.