Hungary’s foreign minister supports Red Cross’s humanitarian efforts amid ongoing Ukraine crisis

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in Geneva on Wednesday highlighted the “impartial operations” of the International Red Cross, and expressed support for its position on “keeping communications channels open on all sides”.

Speaking at the 34th International Red Cross Conference, Szijjártó said: “The war in Ukraine is the most serious humanitarian crisis in Europe in recent decades… As a neighbouring country, we have been bearing the heavy impact of these challenges for nearly a thousand days.”

Hungary, in cooperation with the Red Cross, is implementing the largest humanitarian aid programme in its history, the foreign ministry quoted Szijjártó as saying, adding that some 1.4 million refugees from Ukraine had entered Hungary since the Russian invasion.

Hungary will continue its humanitarian action “as long as it is needed”, and support Red Cross activities, he said.

“We don’t want more people to die and even more families to be torn apart… Hungary has supported and will support all international initiatives aimed at establishing the quickest possible peace in Ukraine,” Szijjártó said.

“But peace can only be reached through dialogue and talks. Therefore I want to express our appreciation to the Red Cross for its impartial … operations and its goal to keep communications channels open on both sides; we support this approach,” Szijjártó said.

Hungary “firmly supports” the Red Cross position that sanctions must not hinder humanitarian activities, he said.

The minister also said Hungary was proud to host the Red Cross’s regional office for Europe and the global service centre of the International Federation of the Red Cross, and he pledged the government’s continued assistance to ensure its operations.

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