war

New survey: How much do Hungarians trust Trump to end the Russia–Ukraine war?

Fully 77 percent of Hungarians thinks that president-elect Donald Trump stands a good chance of ending the war in Ukraine in 2025, a survey published by pro-government Századvég on Tuesday has shown.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese Presidenet Xi Jinping and Trump, then the Republican presidential nominee, in July, “with the aim of gauging the stance of the warring parties and promoting peace”, the think-tank said in connection with the survey, conducted with a sample of 1,000 people.

The “peace mission” had been harshly criticised by the Brussels elite, Századvég said.

“The survey shows that, unlike Brussels leadership, the Hungarian public backs Orbán’s efforts to hasten the end of the war,” the think-tank said.

Fully 68 percent of respondents agreed that Orbán promoted ending the war. “Thanks to the pro-peace stance of Hungary, 74 percent opposes the US government and certain EU member states shipping long-range missiles to Ukraine, it said.

Further, 77 percent of Hungarians considered there was a realistic chance that Trump would successfully end the conflict in 2025, it added. Fully 51 percent of respondents had a positive view of Trump, the survey showed.

Unarmed Ukraine against the Russians?

It is important to underline that the Hungarian government has been saying for years that Ukraine should not be given arms, which would have meant that Russia would have been crushing our eastern neighbour.

Even yesterday, the Hungarian Foreign Minister said that although the Russians were attacking, the Ukrainians should not be given weapons to defend themselves. Related article: Orbán cabinet did everything to stop Ukraine getting aided arms shipments, but failed – details here

Several analysts have recently said that Trump wants peace, but it may be in the US’s interest not to strengthen Russia by doing so. Yet, at the moment, aggressor Russia is attacking in force, and Ukraine still needs a lot of help to keep up the attacks. The idea of peace is also very different for Ukrainians, whose territories are occupied, and for other countries that are watching from the outside and whose territorial integrity is not at stake.

The results of the current public opinion poll show very clearly that the Hungarian government’s powerful communication has reached the electorate, and they have taken it on board.

As we wrote yesterday, the Budapest-Kyiv train service has been restored; details are HERE.

Great news for travellers: Budapest-Kyiv train service restored

The Transcarpathia (Kárpátalja) international high-speed train, consisting of Ukrainian sleeper cars, will now operate nightly between Budapest and Kyiv, MÁV announced on Monday on its website.

The train will cover a distance of nearly 1,200 kilometres via Lviv, Mukachevo (Munkács), and Debrecen. The train from Budapest to Kyiv departs at 22:40 and arrives the following evening at 19:11. Conversely, the train from Kyiv to Budapest departs at 10:16 in the morning and arrives at 6:00 the next morning. The journey time is 20.5 hours—five hours longer than before the outbreak of the war, when the journey took approximately 15 hours.

For the entire journey between Budapest and Kyiv, second-class tickets are available for €48.10, with sleeping berths costing an additional €10, depending on the type of berth.

The first train departed Kyiv on Sunday morning and arrived in the Hungarian capital on Monday morning. In a video shared on her social media page, the speaker expressed MÁV’s pride in contributing to the cooperation between Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, Hungary, and the Hungarian people.

Budapest-Kyiv Train Service Restored
Budapest-Kyiv Train Service Restored. Photo: MTI

 

 

Hungarian PM Orbán: ‘I trust after Donald Trump takes office, we will experience its beneficial effect’

“I trust that on January 20, after Donald Trump takes office, we will experience its beneficial effect,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Tuesday in response to a question by the press.

Orbán meets Trump

Orbán said in a video posted on Facebook that he had held a meeting with Trump where he congratulated the president-elect. Talks will be held after Trump takes office, Orbán added.

He said that “these days when two people, two men, sit down to talk either in Europe or America, they can certainly not avoid having a word about peace and about war”.

Orbán said that because of very strict US legal regulations, “the US president is currently not in a position to have talks about a ceasefire”. However, he added that he trusted that on January 20, once Trump takes office, “we will experience its beneficial effect”.

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CNN: U.S. Supreme Court considers legal path for Holocaust survivors to reclaim stolen property in Hungary

US Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is weighing a pivotal case on whether Holocaust victims can sue Hungary in U.S. courts over property seized during World War II, sparking debate on sovereign immunity and the limits of international litigation.

Can the families sue Hungary?

As CNN reports, the Supreme Court has expressed scepticism over whether Holocaust victims and their families can sue Hungary in U.S. courts for property stolen during World War II. During a hearing on Tuesday, justices from across the ideological spectrum raised concerns that allowing such cases could open the floodgates to similar international litigation.

The case, which has been in contention for nearly 15 years, centres on whether an exception to the rule against suing foreign governments applies. The plaintiffs argue that Hungary seized their property during the Holocaust, later using the proceeds in U.S. transactions, thereby connecting the case to American jurisdiction. However, the justices appeared divided on the broader implications, with no clear consensus emerging from the session.

US Supreme Court
Photo: depositphotos.com

A labyrinth of questions and concerns

The Supreme Court deliberated on whether an exception to sovereign immunity permits Holocaust victims to sue Hungary in U.S. courts for property seized during World War II. Sovereign immunity typically protects nations from such lawsuits, but U.S. law includes an exception for cases involving expropriated property tied to the United States. The families argue that funds Hungary obtained from liquidating stolen property were partially spent in the U.S., warranting the exception. However, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh expressed scepticism, questioning the scope of the exception and raising concerns about foreign policy repercussions. Kavanaugh noted that no other nation allows such lawsuits, emphasising the potential international ramifications of the ruling.

Tracing funds through decades of transactions?

The Supreme Court exhibited reservations across ideological lines regarding the lawsuit by Holocaust victims against Hungary for expropriated property. Justice Sonia Sotomayor questioned the plausibility of tracing funds through decades of transactions, describing it as a “fiction.” Justices Elena Kagan and Samuel Alito expressed concerns about allowing foreign nations to evade scrutiny by commingling stolen assets with general funds, with Kagan warning it could create a “roadmap” for impunity.

Alito downplayed fears of reciprocal lawsuits against the U.S., while Justice Brett Kavanaugh raised concerns about exposure to historical claims. The case, Hungary v. Simon, originally filed in 2010 and previously reviewed by the Supreme Court, has returned following a federal appeals court ruling in favour of the families. A final decision is expected next year.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Fidesz: Patriots reject Ursula von der Leyen’s new EU Commission

The Patriots for Europe group will not vote for Ursula von der Leyen’s new European Commission in light of its “backroom deals and poor decisions” that “set Europe on the path of crisis in the past five years”, Fidesz MEP Kinga Gál said in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

“The Patriots’ and Fidesz delegation’s stance is clear: we and the European majority who voted for us in the European parliamentary elections want European politics to change,” Gál said before a plenary debate on the commissioners and the commission’s programme.

patriots european commission
Photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Fischer Zoltán

She insisted that Europe was on the path towards “bankruptcy” on issues such as illegal migration, the centralisation of the Brussels administration, “anti-farmer greenwashing”, and its “pro-war position”.

She added that the new commission, backed by the European People’s Party and left-liberals, was incapable of answering to voters who desired change in the way the bloc was run and the policies it pursued.

Gál said the “unacceptable pact” determining the next five years would lead to “further illegal migration, war-mongering, ideologically driven politics, and the blackmailing of member states” by withholding EU funds.

Commenting on commissioner hearings in the EP, she said the outcomes had been decided in advance, regardless of the commissioner-designate’s professional preparedness, and she insisted that Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi had amply demonstrated his competence.

The Patriots group and Fidesz “represent change in the EU”, she said. “It’s clear that our voters everywhere want a voice for change,” she said, adding that “peace, an end to illegal migration, border protection, freedom from ideology and sovereignty” were their top priorities.

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Lake Balaton’s hidden depths: Local legends speak of secrets and treasures below

lake balaton

Lake Balaton, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, is also shrouded in local legends of hidden treasures lurking beneath its serene waters. According to residents, there is a myriad of secrets hiding in Hungary’s iconic lake. Dive into these captivating stories and discover the treasures that have enchanted locals for generations.

The secrets of Lake Balaton

Promotions writes that Lake Balaton may now be a popular destination for swimming, water sports, and relaxation. However, its calm surface hides a wealth of secrets below. The “Hungarian Sea” has played a central role in Hungary’s history for centuries, from fishing and trade. Beneath its waters lie relics of this rich past, including old wooden ships and boats dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. These vessels, sunk by sudden storms and accidents, rest on the lakebed along with rumours of buried treasures—perhaps even gold or silver.

From war relics to personal belongings

Since the late 19th century, steamboats have navigated the waters of Lake Balaton, and today, remnants of these early vessels rest on the lakebed, often due to technical failures or accidents. The lake’s history grew even more complex during the Second World War, when fierce battles between German, Hungarian, and Soviet forces took place around Balaton. Tanks, military boats, and other combat vehicles were submerged, with some reports even suggesting aircraft remains.

Following the war, leftover military equipment, including weapons and explosives, was also discarded into the lake, adding to the collection of submerged relics. In more recent decades, even cars have ended up in the lake’s waters due to accidents or vandalism, while abandoned water sports equipment like surfboards and kayaks lie scattered on the lakebed. In addition, you must know someone who has lost a watch or a ring in Lake Balaton…

Lake Balaton, Holiday, camping
Photo: depositphotos.com

Legends about hidden treasures

Lake Balaton is steeped in legends of hidden treasures, with tales that captivate locals and visitors alike. One of the most famous stories centres around Saint Ladislaus of Hungary, who is said to have hidden his treasures in or near the lake to keep them out of enemy hands as an army approached. Though there’s no solid evidence to confirm this, the legend remains alive in local lore. Another popular tale dates back to the Turkish occupation of the 16th and 17th centuries, when Turkish soldiers, forced to retreat, supposedly concealed their stolen goods around Balaton, many never returning to reclaim them.

Another enduring legend is that of the “Golden Boat,” a merchant vessel said to have sunk in Lake Balaton, loaded with gold bars, silver, and gemstones. To this day, locals say the ship’s precious cargo remains undiscovered beneath the lake’s surface. While divers have retrieved some artefacts from Balaton’s depths, the thick lakebed mud and strict conservation laws make excavation challenging. Today, any archaeological exploration in Lake Balaton requires special permits, to preserve both the lake’s natural beauty and its hidden history.

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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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Revealing survey: What Hungarians truly think about the war in Ukraine

war in Ukraine

A recent study by Závecz Research, conducted in early October, delved into public perceptions of the war in Ukraine. The survey examined Hungary’s perceived threat level, views on the defence capabilities of the Hungarian armed forces, and support for EU and NATO membership. This representative poll, commissioned by security policy expert Péter Tarjányi, gathered responses from 1,000 individuals via telephone.

War in Ukraine: Aggression or defence?

Index reports that the Závecz Research survey reveals shifting public perceptions in Hungary regarding the war in Ukraine. While a consistent 65% of the population continues to view the conflict as Russian aggression, and 62% hold Russia responsible, there has been a notable shift in views on whether Russia acted defensively. Over the past two years, the proportion of Hungarians who believe Russia initiated the war in Ukraine for defensive reasons has increased from 13% to 22%. Meanwhile, those who blame Ukraine for the conflict have risen from 16% to 26%. Among pro-government Fidesz voters, opinions have shifted dramatically, with 53% now blaming Ukraine, reversing the previous majority that attributed responsibility to Russia. The number of undecided voters has also significantly decreased across the board.

Would Hungarians defend their country?

The survey indicates a slight decline in Hungarians’ willingness to defend their country in the event of an attack. Currently, 46% would be prepared to fight or assist the army, down from 50% two years ago. While only 4% believe it highly likely that the war in Ukraine will spread to Hungary, 41% consider it possible but unlikely. Index notes that concerns about the war in Ukraine spreading to Hungary are more prevalent among Fidesz voters, rural populations, and those with lower levels of education.

Humanitarian aid is the most favoured form of support for Ukraine, with 55% of respondents supporting this option, while only 18% back military aid. Among government party voters, 63% support only humanitarian assistance, and none support military aid.

military
Photo: depositphotos.com

EU and NATO

The poll shows strong support among Hungarians for remaining in both the European Union and NATO, with 68% favouring continued EU membership and 78% supporting NATO membership. However, opinions are divided along party lines. Among Fidesz-KDNP voters, 46% support remaining in the EU, while 37% favour leaving. Support for NATO is stronger, with only 17% of Fidesz voters favouring an exit. Voters of the opposition Tisza and DK parties tend to be more consistently pro-NATO and pro-EU.

The survey also highlights dissatisfaction with Hungary’s often anti-EU stance on the war in Ukraine, reflected in a moderate public disapproval rating of 2.7 on a five-point scale. Concerns over Hungary’s alignment with Russia and China are growing, with two-thirds of respondents fearing negative consequences from diverging from EU and NATO positions. Despite this, a majority (60%) still prioritise maintaining good relations with the EU over Russia and China.

nato
Photo: NATO

Hungarians do not see neighbouring countries as a threat

The Závecz Research survey reveals that only 16% of Hungarians believe there is a neighbouring country to fear militarily, with Ukraine being the most feared (11%), followed by Romania (7%). Confidence in Hungary’s defence capabilities remains low, with only 6% believing that the Hungarian armed forces would definitely be able to defend the country, while 34% are convinced they would not. Trust in the military is higher among government supporters. In terms of a potential West-East military confrontation, 12% of respondents consider it very likely within the next decade, while 55% think it is possible but unlikely.

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PHOTOS: One-tonne WW2 bomb removed from Budapest

A US-made one-tonne Second World War bomb has been removed from a construction site in southern Budapest, the police have lifted the closure it put in place in the area for the disassembling of the device, a communications officer of the Hungarian army’s explosives’ unit told MTI on Saturday.

The bomb was found during groundwork around a railway bridge in southern Budapest earlier in the week, Milán Gajdos said. One of the fuses has been successfully removed from the bomb while the other was arranged to allow safe transport of the device to the army’s central storage facility where it will be destroyed, he said.

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FM Szijjártó: Hungary doesn’t want EU to send military advisers to Ukraine

Hungary rejects a new European Union proposal to deploy military advisers in Ukraine to coordinate training as it carries the risk of escalating the war, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said on Wednesday.

He noted that late in 2022 the EU decided to train Ukrainian soldiers in the territory of EU member states, and he noted that Hungary decided against providing soldiers or funding for it, and it rejected training missions on Hungarian soil.

He said that at the same time, Hungary had not tried to prevent other member states from taking part in the initiative. But since then “an extremely dangerous proposal” has been advanced on sending military advisers to Ukraine to carry out coordination tasks in addition to extending the mission’s two-year mandate, Szijjártó said, adding this carried the risk of escalating the war.

“It’s perilous for Hungary, too, as escalation … first takes place in the neighbourhood, not thousands of kilometres away,” he added. “We cannot support the proposal in its current form,” he said, noting that Hungary has requested a revision of it.

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Foreign ministry calls on Hungarians to leave Lebanon

The foreign ministry is calling on Hungarian citizens to leave Lebanon in the current war situation, the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

israeli rocket in lebanon
The site of an Israeli missile impact in the Dahiye neighbourhood of the Lebanese capital on 2 October 2024. Photo: MTI/AP/Haszan Ammar

In the coming period, in case of an emergency, the embassy will be able to help most quickly those Hungarians who register for consular protection, the statement added.

Registration can be made online at https://konzinfo.mfa.gov.hu.

“We highly recommend that everyone leave the country without delay with any commercial flights that still operate and to encourage those compatriots who are on temporary stay to do the same,” the statement said.

The ministry also recommends that people regularly consult the consular service’s website which offers continually updated travel advice and download the Konzinfo Utazom mobile app for up-to-date information.

Official: Hungary grants emergency aid for internally displaced people in Lebanon

The government is providing 100,000 euros in emergency aid through the Hungary Helps humanitarian programme for helping internally displaced people in Lebanon, the state secretary for aiding persecuted Christians said on Wednesday.

Hungary is following with concern the escalation in the Middle East which is now expanding into southern Lebanon, Tristan Azbej said in a video on Facebook.

“Our Lebanese partners are reporting a deepening crisis in the country: hundreds of thousands are fleeing to the north, leaving their homes behind,” Azbej said. “Their accommodation has not been resolved, with masses of people having to stay in the open air without supplies, medicine or food. Many in Lebanon are in a critical situation.”

He said the government was responding to the situation by extending 100,000 euros in emergency aid through the Hungary Helps Programme.

“This is how the Hungarian government is contributing to the protection of internally displaced people in Lebanon through the Lebanon branch of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and other Christian organisations,” the state secretary said.

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BREAKING: 4 Emirates flights land in Budapest due to Middle East conflict – PHOTOS

emirates flights land in budapest

Several flights were forced to divert to alternate airports on Tuesday due to the severe Middle East conflict. While Emirates’ Budapest-Dubai flight rerouted to Istanbul, four Emirates planes landed at Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport, including two giant Airbus A380 aircraft.

Due to the conflict in Middle Eastern countries, many flights had to change their routes, and several were forced to turn back and land at alternate airports, AIRportal.hu reports. Israeli airports suspended both arrivals and departures, while airspace over Iraq and Jordan was closed. Restrictions were also imposed over parts of Iranian airspace.

emirates flights land in budapest
Photo: MTI/Mihádák Zoltán

The Emirates EK 112 flight from Budapest to Dubai turned back at the Turkish-Iranian border and later landed in Istanbul. After a delay of 2 hours and 20 minutes, it resumed its journey. According to information provided by Budapest Airport to AIRportal.hu, three Emirates flights turned back over Turkey and landed in Budapest.

The flights, originating from Dublin, Düsseldorf, and Prague, were en route to Dubai, carrying a total of 1,215 passengers. Two of the flights were operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, while the Düsseldorf flight was serviced by an Airbus A380-800. An Emirates Airbus A380-800 operating the Nice-Dubai route also landed in Budapest, diverting there instead of the originally planned stop in Vienna.

emirates flights landed in budapest
Photo: MTI/Mihádák Zoltán

After refuelling, all four flights continued their journey to Dubai between 11 PM on Tuesday and 3 AM on Wednesday, taking a longer route through Egyptian and Saudi Arabian airspace to avoid the conflict zones. Meanwhile, three Emirates Airbus A380s, which were scheduled to land in Vienna, also diverted, AIRportal.hu writes.

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One-tonne US-made WW2 bomb found in Budapest

A US-made one-tonne Second World War bomb has been found during groundwork around a railway bridge in southern Budapest, a communications officer of the Hungarian army’s explosives unit told MTI on Tuesday.

According to explosives experts, the areal bomb needs to be disassembled at the site for safety reasons, which is planned to be carried out on October 5 in the morning, Milán Gajdos said.

Police will cordon off the area in a 600-meter circle around Soroksari Road in District 11, he said.

One-tonne US-made WW2 bomb found in S Budapest
One-tonne US-made WW2 bomb found in S Budapest. Photo: Hungarian army’s explosives’ unit
One-tonne US-made WW2 bomb found in S Budapest
One-tonne US-made WW2 bomb found in S Budapest. Photo: Hungarian army’s explosives’ unit

read also: 100kg WWII Soviet bomb found near Budapest

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Hungarian FM Szijjártó: Peaceful coexistence of national, religious communities vital

The peaceful coexistence between national and religious communities is vitally important, and minority rights are very important in this respect, so the United Nations must pay special attention to them, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Friday.

The foreign ministry cited Szijjártó telling a United Nations Alliance of Civilizations meeting in New York that armed conflicts were underway in some thirty locations around the world, with the threat of terrorism on the increase, and waves of illegal migration representing risks.

The UN initiative now has a special significance, because it is vitally important to ensure the peaceful coexistence of national and religious communities, he added. Hungary is proud of the history of its Christian state and feels responsibility for Christian communities around the world, he said. Christians are the most persecuted community in the world, with some 365 million Christians living in places where they are subject to persecution or attacks by terrorist organisations, he added.

The Hungarian government has set up an agency with the special purpose of supporting these communities, which has carried out 368 programmes in 64 countries with a total value of 110 million dollars, he said. Some two million people have been affected by the programmes which involved the rebuilding of churches and helping the operation of hospitals and schools in order to ensure that no Christians are forced to leave their homes, he added.

He said Hungary showed a good example of the peaceful coexistence of national and religious communities. Budapest is a good example, as “Central Europe’s largest Catholic cathedral and one of Europe’s largest synagogues are practically within walking distance,” Szijjártó said. He also said that participants in Jewish festivals or visitors around synagogues “don’t need to face security guards armed to the teeth.”

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Hungarian film inspired by Kabul evacuation starts shooting

A film about Hungarian soldiers’ participation in the 2021 evacuation of Kabul has started shooting.

The shooting begins

The film, with the working title “Operation Kabul”, is based on the true story of operation Shaman Shield, when Hungarian soldiers evacuated 540 people, including 180 children, from Afghanistan as NATO forces withdrew.

Shooting started early in August and is expected to wind up in the second week of November, producer Tamás Lajos told MTI. A release date is planned for the autumn of 2025, he added.

The film, directed by Zsombor Dyga and a production of Szupermodern Studio, was awarded 2.8 billion forints (EUR 7m) from the National Film Institute. The Hungarian Defence Forces are providing consulting support for the film and co-production partners are Sárkányok Produkció and the Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund (MTVA).

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Hungarian Defence Minister: ‘We have rearmed the air force in recent years’

The Hungarian government, as soon as the country’s economic capabilities made it possible, launched a large-scale military and national defence development programme and “we have rearmed the air force in recent years”, Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Sunday.

Hungarian Defence Minister talks about a new fleet

Speaking at the opening event of the 29th Börgönd Airshow, in central Hungary, the minister said that the Hungarian Armed Forces had brand new rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, adding that a new fleet of Airbus helicopters had been set up. He noted that four combat fighter-bombers had been added to the Gripen fleet, and just a few days ago the KC-390 military cargo plane of the Brazilian Embraer factory had arrived.

Hungary will take delivery of a batch of new jet propulsion training aircraft next year and the most modern, world-class air defence equipment would be gradually put in use, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

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Hungarian defence minister: Most EU members considering steps that could lead to escalation

Most EU member states are considering steps that could lead to the escalation of the war in Ukraine, Hungary’s defence minister said after an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Brussels on Friday.

The meeting had a pro-war atmosphere with all addresses calling for continued military support to Ukraine, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky told a press conference.

Defence minister: The only solution is through diplomacy

He reiterated the Hungarian government’s position that the only “enduring solution” to the conflict was through diplomacy with an immediate ceasefire and negotiations.

A proposal on conducting EU military trainings for Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv was also discussed, the minister said, adding that such a step would carry the risk of an escalation of the war. “Hungary wants to prevent that,” he added, insisting that “dragging the EU and NATO into this conflict must be avoided”.

He said Hungary did not support proposals on providing financial support to Ukraine’s armed forces until Hungarian businesses were sanctioned in Ukraine and measures endangering energy supplies to Hungary were in place.

The minister noted Hungary’s continued active participation in EU military missions including the EUFOR Quick Response 24 annual exercise.

The current Hungarian EU presidency also supports other EU initiatives for the “global South including the Sahel region”, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. Hungary will contribute from October to the EUNAVFOR Aspides military operation at the Red Sea and will participate in the EU’s military training in Somalia in 2025, he added.

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Foreign ministry: Brussels trying to pressurise Hungary into taking pro-war stance for years

Brussels has been trying to pressurise Hungary into taking a pro-war position for years, a foreign ministry official said on Friday, insisting that peace appeared to be a “new dirty word” in the Brussels lexicon.

Boglárka Illés, the state secretary for bilateral relations, told public radio that Budapest would have happily hosted the European Union’s informal foreign affairs council meeting, and there would be more opportunities to do so in the upcoming weeks.

boglárka illés hungarian government foreign ministry war brussels
Photo: Facebook/Illés Boglárka

“It is obvious that they are not picky when choosing between their various means — and they thought this could be a means to force Hungary to change its position or at least they have tried to put pressure” on Hungary, she said, adding that the government was responsible for Hungarian voters and their security, and sticking to the pro-peace position was a priority.

As long as Brussels plans to free up further billions from the European peace allocation in order to buy weapons, then “Hungary will stick to its position”, Illés said. While Hungarian companies are discriminated against in Ukraine and decisions are made that threaten Hungary’s energy security, Hungary will not support the plan, she added.

Meanwhile, regarding the Middle East, she said Hungary’s position was that the Hamas terrorist organisation had attacked Israel and Israel had the right to self-defence and to protect its territorial sovereignty.

The state must be supported, not the terrorist organisation, which is why the Hungarian government does not support putting elected officials and democratically elected government members on a list of sanctions, she said. “We aim to avoid escalation and all such decisions result in escalation,” she added.

She said decisions made in Brussels aimed at the approval of sending soldiers to Ukraine from Western countries, including EU member states.

“We believe that if the soldiers of NATO member countries appear in the territory of Ukraine, and what’s more, a decision is made on this at an official foreign ministers council meeting …. that is clearly a step towards escalation and the prolongation of war,” she said.

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