Orbán cabinet: Ending Russia-Ukraine war Hungary’s fundamental interest

Ending the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible and starting peace talks is in Hungary’s fundamental interest because continuing the war “brings the nightmare of a third world war closer” each day, the foreign minister told public radio on Sunday.

Many of Europe’s political leaders are under the influence of “a war psychosis”, Péter Szijjártó said in an interview.

“They speak and think as if they were personally at war…, and are unable to make reasonable decisions,” he said, adding that this led to statements about the possible option of sending [European] ground forces to the war.

NATO is the world’s strongest defence alliance, he said, adding that it would be “illogical” from Russia to attack any of its members since under its charter, NATO would need to respond as an alliance.

NATO was set up as an alliance tasked with defence and since it is not under attack, it does not need to respond, Szijjártó said.

Speaking about Europe’s defence industry, the foreign minister stated Hungary’s support to its development in the interest of boosting Europe’s industrial growth and to enable “Europe to defend itself without involving the United States”.

He said that a proposal by the European Council’s president “to shift to a war economy” was “posing an exceptional risk in itself”.

Hungary will continue to reject participation in any political or financial initiatives aimed at supplying additional weapons to Ukraine, Szijjártó said, adding that those would pose a risk of escalation of the war.

Meanwhile, Szijjártó welcomed that Krisztián Forró, nominated by Slovakia’s Hungarian Alliance party, has secured the fourth place in the first round of Slovakia’s presidential election this weekend. The Slovakian Hungarian community is “strong and has demonstrated political unity,” he added, and congratulated Forró on his result.

“Hungary always respects the desicion of voters in other countries, while its foreign policy is based on mutual respect; the country never interferes with the internal affairs of other countries and expects others to do the same,” he added.

“We wish to see more and more politicians internationally that speak the language of peace … we will always support such politicians,” Szijjártó said.

Read also:

• Stunning visuals: Magical new bridge planned between Hungary and Slovakia – Read more and check out the visuals HERE
• Two in one: newest Hungarian-Slovak border bridge inaugurated for the second time – Details in THIS article