Ambassador Pressman compares the Hungarian government with the Kremlin
David Pressman, the US ambassador to Hungary, likened the Hungarian government to the Kremlin. He said that Orbán’s cabinet reacts in the exact same way as Moscow when other countries try to interfere in its internal affairs.
At a panel discussion with Milorad Dodik at the Trebinje Energy Forum in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, Péter Szijjártó called it outrageous that the US State Department is dealing with the internal affairs of other countries. He critisised their writing reports on the human rights and other situations of foreign states on the basis of all kinds of “one-sided information”, Index reports.
The Foreign Minister was reacting to a 2022 human rights country report published on 20 March by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The report also criticises the independence of the judiciary and freedom of the press in Hungary. It also looks specifically at corruption in Hungary.
David Pressman reacted to Szijjártó’s statement on Twitter:
Sounds familiar. https://t.co/9nmPt2Hvg3 pic.twitter.com/aI45f8a0qo
— Ambassador David Pressman (@USAmbHungary) March 22, 2023
PM’s chief of staff: Hungary committed to staying out of war
Hungary remains committed to staying out of the war in Ukraine, calls for a ceasefire and peace talks, and does not participate in weapon deliveries, the Head of the Prime Minister’s Office told a press conference on Thursday.
The past few weeks have seen “an increasing number of worrying statements” rejecting ceasefires and calling for continuing the war, Gergely Gulyás said. Those calls point to an escalation rather than the peaceful solution Hungary’s government is promoting, he said.
The government stands by the ceasefire and peace talks as the only way to save lives, he said. Accordingly, Hungary will stay out of weapon deliveries, but remains an active member of all preparations geared at increasing defence capacity and improving defence equipment within the NATO or Hungary, he said.
Hungary wishes to take part in the European Union’s joint ammunition purchase, but only for domestic use, and will not send life-threatening equipment abroad, he said. He also called on all political forces to support the “pro-peace resolution” submitted by ruling party lawmakers at the vote in parliament next week.
Read alsoNATO ignores Hungary’s objection, holds Ukraine committee meeting
Source: index.hu, MTI