Minister: no-fly zone, sending peacekeeping missions “dangerous proposals”

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Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó spoke about the importance of making sure that the war does not spread beyond Ukraine on a session of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Friday. He said there were “some dangerous proposals on the agendas of international organisations”, such as the imposition of a no-fly zone over Ukraine or sending peacekeeping missions to the country. Such steps, however, would only escalate the conflict, “and this is something that we definitely have to avoid”, he said.

Hungary has so far provided hospital treatment for 131 refugee children from Ukraine, Szijjártó cleared. The Hungarian authorities provide care for all refugees arriving in Hungary and ensure a secure environment for international humanitarian organisations, Szijjártó said in his address. He said that as Ukraine’s neighbouring country

Hungary was fully aware of the “tragic consequences” of the war.

“And we are not only aware of the consequences, but faced by challenges caused by the consequences as well,” he added.

Szijjártó said that because the war posed a direct security risk to Hungary, it needed to be guaranteed that the country is not dragged into the conflict. No matter how strongly Hungary is criticised, the Hungarian government puts the country’s security first, he said, adding that this was why it has

decided against sending weapons and troops to Ukraine and banned the transit of weapons deliveries through its territory.

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Szijjártó said the Hungarian people never wanted the war, “we want peace, we want peace in the neighbourhood as soon as possible.”

Szijjártó said Ukraine was faced with a serious humanitarian disaster, with more than half a million people having fled to Hungary where all refugees were taken in and looked after.

Those who choose to stay for a longer period will be given work so that they are not forced to live off welfare benefits,

the minister said.

He said it was heartbreaking to see families that had been torn apart, noting that men are not allowed to leave Ukraine because they are subject to conscription. Hungary provides care for all refugees, he said, adding that children are given hospital treatment if necessary. Citing fresh data, Szijjártó said

131 children have been treated in hospital so far.

Providing help takes priority in the current situation, the minister said, adding that the ban on weapons deliveries made Hungary a secure location for humanitarian organisations. “So all those who attack us . have to think about that,” he said.