Máté Kocsis, the leader of Fidesz’s parliamentary group, said Hungary is pro-peace and intends to stay that way.
Kocsis made the remarks to MPs on Tuesday in connection with a bill declaring Hungary’s position a year after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. The bill calls for a ceasefire and peace negotiations as soon as possible and states that Hungary will continue to refrain from sending weapons or soldiers to Ukraine. Kocsis said the longer the delay, the greater the losses would be, noting that the bill expresses Hungary’s commitment to peace and underlines its condemnation of Russian military aggression while recognising Ukraine’s right to self-defence. He said economic and energy sanctions adopted in Brussels had not succeeded in steering Russia towards peace, so Hungary opposes broadening EU sanctions. Further, the bill calls on the government to continue helping refugees from Ukraine. It also notes that the war had a grave impact on the Transcarpathian Hungarian community. It would be irresponsible to declare that only Russia or Ukraine can win the war, Kocsis said, adding that the onus was on war supporters to convince peace supporters about the wisdom of arms deliveries.