President Katalin Novák said Hungary supports and is open to taking part in any peace initiative that creates a feasible environment for a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine and creates a roadmap towards a sustainable and just peace.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council in New York on Wednesday, President Novák said that Hungary welcomed the Ukrainian peace initiative and was open to join the process. The personal presence of Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, in the UN, is also an indication that “the moment has come to be serious about peace”, she said. Novák said she counted on Zelensky “to take action and facilitate the restoration of rights of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine” as he personally promised at their meeting in Kyiv before and also in New York. President Novák said the war in Ukraine directly threatened Hungary as a neighbouring country, pointing out that Hungarians were also fighting and dying on the battlefield. The war in Ukraine directly threatened the security architecture of Europe, she added. The Hungarian president urged cooperation in promoting peace and security in Ukraine. “We need organisations, countries and personalities who can invite the warring partners to peace negotiations,” she said, adding that “we acknowledge the United Nations and the UN Security Council as essential actors in this process”. “We need countries, we need strong nations, for example, the United States, China and Türkiye that are capable or ready to set the table for a possible solution, are capable or ready to talk with both sides and have the potential to influence the continuation further,” Novák said. She underlined the importance of personalities, saying “I’m convinced that Pope Francis is someone who can facilitate peace in Ukraine”. “Our history gives us so many examples that a small group of people, or even a single person can have an effect or turn the flow of history.” In her speech, Novák emphasised the role of women leaders in promoting a solution to conflicts. “Women leaders who join their forces to contribute to peacemaking can have a substantial contribution to this process,” the Hungarian president said.