Opposition condemns Russian attack, calls Orbán NATO’s unreliable ally – UPDATED
Change language:
Hungary’s opposition parties on Thursday condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine, expressing their support for Ukraine and the local ethnic Hungarian community.
Hungary knows from 1956 “what it is like when the Russians invade an independent state”, the united opposition said in a statement. “Now the same thing is happening before our eyes: Vladimir Putin’s Russia has attacked Ukraine.” The parties criticised Prime Minister Viktor Orban for “his refusal to condemn the war started by Russia” and the steps taken by Putin “even when the lives of Transcarpathia Hungarians are in danger”.
Péter Márki-Zay, prime ministerial candidate of the united opposition, said on Facebook that Hungary, as a member of the European Union and NATO, should
condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression against Ukraine. He said Orbán was an “unreliable ally” of the EU and NATO.
He called on Orban to join EU sanctions against Russia by suspending the authorisation of the Paks II project and expel with immediate effect the “Russian spy bank”.
The Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary (Mazsihisz) has expressed its concern over Russia’s attack on Ukraine, adding it has begun preparations to help any potential refugees coming to Hungary. “We sympathise with the citizens of Ukraine, especially the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia, and specifically our Jewish brothers and sisters there,” Mazsihisz said in a statement on Thursday.