Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov again received the Hungarian Foreign Minister in Moscow
The Hungarian government must increase its efforts towards peace as the risk of escalation in the war in Ukraine is more serious than ever before, the Hungarian foreign minister said in Moscow on Monday, adding that efforts had to also be made to keep the channels of diplomacy open.
Lavrov
Sergei Lavrov began the meeting by saying in the first three minutes that Russia appreciates Viktor Orban’s “independent policy”, that they see Hungary’s sincere efforts to restore peace, and that he believes there is sustainable growth in both the Russian and Hungarian economies.
Szijjártó
At talks held with his Russian colleague, Sergei Lavrov, Péter Szijjártó underlined that the risk of escalation of the war “is more serious than ever before.”
“There have been many dangerous and irresponsible decisions made in the recent past that for a country neighbouring Ukraine, such as Hungary, pose particular threats,” he said.
He said the past one thousand days had proved that the war had no solution in the battlefield, it could only be ended through negotiations for which “the channels of diplomacy have to be kept open”.
“Those who close those diplomatic channels or attack those who keep them open do not really want peace,” he said.
Szijjártó said developing bilateral ties with Russia in areas not affected by sanctions “is a clear and open goal” of the Hungarian government.
Lavrov
Then, the Russian Foreign Minister took the floor again, but in the next 10 minutes or so, he did not give it to Szijjártó, so only Lavrov spoke.
The Russian Foreign Minister returned to the themes often voiced by Moscow, the situation in Ukraine, and spoke at length about how anyone who speaks out against peace does not even represent the interests of his own people, saying that they see the likes of Viktor Orban’s peace mission from China, South Africa and several Arab countries. He also criticised the Western double standards they see in Russia.
Practically every month there is a meeting between the Russian and Hungarian Foreign Ministers:
- End of October – Szijjártó in Minsk: Record gas deliveries highlight Hungary’s energy cooperation with Russia
- September: Hungarian foreign minister met again with Russian FM Lavrov to discuss cooperation
UPDATE
“Russia committed to maintaining Hungary energy supply”
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said in Moscow on Monday that Russia will continue to deliver crude, gas, and nuclear fuel to Hungary in spite of new sanctions.
In a statement issued by his ministry, Szijjártó said he had held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and a number of executives of energy industry companies and acknowledged the important role deliveries from Russia play in ensuring Hungary’s secure energy supply.
He added that the issue was not a “political matter” , but one of “physical reality” and of infrastructure.
“We have no intent of giving up this good cooperation. If for the only reason that nobody has given us a better offer. We know of no other energy sources that are more secure or more competitively priced,” he said.
Szijjártó said
the inclusion of Gazprombank on the United States’ sanctions list was an attempt to put countries in Central and Southeastern Europe that use Russian energy in a difficult position.
Discussing the matter on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Novak and the energy company executives affected by the measure affirmed their interest in cooperation and the continuation of energy deliveries, he added.
“We’ve committed to finding a solution to the situation,”
he said. He added that the Hungarian government would do everything in its power to ensure the country’s secure energy supply.
He noted that other countries in the region were “in the same shoes” and were working together to resolve the situation.