Is this why Orbán did not go to Kiev with the Czech, Polish and Slovenian prime ministers?
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is not with his Czech, Polish and Slovenian counterparts in Kyiv for talks because Hungary is not supplying weapons to Ukraine, according to news site Origo.
The prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia are travelling to Kyiv by train, and they are the first foreign leaders, who visit the Ukrainian capital since Russia invaded its neighbour last month.
The Hungarian government will not allow Hungary to be dragged into the war, and it is working to restore peace, the website said, noting that Hungary made clear from the outset of the war that it would not send soldiers or weapons to Ukraine; neither would it allow the transit of weapons across its territory.
Origo noted that after the Russians bombed a site near the Polish border, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said that even mentioning the transit of weapons carried serious risks.
Orbán has also made clear that weapons transfers would severely harm Hungarians in Transcarpathia (Kárpátalja), in western Ukraine, origo.hu noted.
Origo also denigrated opposition figures for urging the transfer of weapons to Ukraine.
Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, told MTI that
“we solely represent Hungary’s interests and our objective cannot be anything else but to ensure that Hungary stays out of this war”.
He said the reason why the Hungarian prime minister was not travelling with his Czech, Polish and Slovenian counterparts to Kyiv was that “to ensure the peace and security of Hungary it is necessary that the country should not send troops or weapons to the war and neither should it allow the transit of weapons across its territory to Ukraine”.
“We will respect it if other countries decide differently, but we must bear Hungary’s security interests in mind”, Szijjártó said.
6 Comments
Dancing and singing the “Hokey Pokey” – is the Hungarian Government under the Leadership of Victor Orban.
“You put your Right Foot in
You put your Right Foot out
You put your Right Foot in
And you Shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about”.
Interesting deepening developements are to come out of the position Hungary has adapted and would not surprise if President – Joe Biden & “others” – make a pointant comment that indicates displeasurer and disappointment – at the Hokey Pokey “game” – that Hungary is playing.
Hungary – it does appear we are somewhat under the Microscope – by the Big Players, through FACT – our “closeness” in relationship with Russia.
“That’s what it’s ALL about” – to a degree standing on the outside looking in without joining in with other countries what they have undertaken, to “ease the pain” other than offer them refuge or a facility to allow them the ability to “travel on” – that is being endured – WRONGFULLY – by the people of the Ukgrain.
Ukraine mistreats Hungarian minority. Why should Hungary help Ukraine? It would be insane to arm a country who already persecutes your compatriot. So all those who criticize Hungary should think how would they feel is their relatives were oppressed?
Hungary is not against the people of Ukraine and welcomed and welcomes all Ukrainian refugees.
The rest of EU is boiling mad because of the oil and gas agreement Hungary made with Russia. Yet, semis and passenger cars from EU, drove to Hungary to fill up, while criticizing the country.
Is anyone happy of the Ukrainian was, no. Everyone feels for the people of Ukraine. The Ukrainian cities are begin to look like London after WWII. Ukraine always had a choice, keep out of NATO and live in peace. Biden manipulated Zelensky, the result is the destruction of Ukrainian cities and many deaths of its people.
Hungary should stay out of this melee. Hungary should just declare neutrality. Hungary has no interest in having its citizens killed or cities destroyed.
“In 1956, nobody came to help us” – as Mr. Szijjártó reminded us last October.
Now, it appears we can only offer humanitarian aid and lip service to help Ukraine. Too invested in our relationship with Russia, I guess.
After finding out about Hungary’s PM Orbán not going to Kyiv along with the Czech, Polish, Slovak and Slovenian PMs, I must say that, at first, I was disappointed, but in hindsight, not surprised – not even a tiny bit – seeing that he DID go to Moscow to meet with Putin. What does that show? Who is being REALLY “neutral”, and not courting favours from Moscow?
Ps. If/when Putin decides that he wants Hungary back (as a satellite – in its sphere of influence), PM Orbán’s visit (groveling at the other end of Putin’s 6 m. table – I bet Xi Jinping would be sitting much closer to Putin, especially NOW when Putin is courting favours from the PRC) will mean NOTHING to Putin. Whatever Putin wants, Putin will attempt to get!
Hungary should stay out of the Russian Ukrainian melee. No Hungarian blood should be shed in an unwanted war. If Zelensky, urged by the Biden Administration, did not have ambition to join NATO, the war may not have started. Once the war started, all good generals object should be is to have the largest victory with the least loss of life. It is now time to have serious peace talks because the war will not solve the problems it only enriches the American Military Industrial Complex, while impoverishing the American people.
*Ps. Re my earlier comment (16th at 00:56), I purposefully added the PM of Slovakia to the troika of PMs who went to Kyiv, knowing all too well that that is incorrect, yet, not a single soul, not even the moderator/editor corrected that. Not that I care, but no-one should be allowed to include incorrect, or misleading information (including me).
Furthermore, if the PM of HU wants the world (AND RUSSIA) to see his government as being neutral, then he shouldn’t have gone to see Putin either. Genuine peace talks should be left to the “big boys”. If One wants to grovel, then leave the “being neutral” out of it.
I very much doubt if any one here wants to see HU sending offensive weapons to Ukraine, especially when it’s common knowledge that HU is seriously lacking the same thereof (AND defensive ones as well).
One more thing, I was left aghast when reading that Russian-made drone (ALLEGEDLY with a “bomb” on board) was flying over HU airspace for 40 minutes without detection. Someone must have been sleeping on the job, or turned a blind eye. Scary.