Defence minister: “we cannot predict Russia’s intentions”
Running a dialogue and simultaneously demonstrating power could be a way to create peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the defence minister said on Tuesday.
Tibor Benkő told an informal discussion that no information had emerged at the Hungarian secret services that would justify a need for NATO to increase its military presence in the country.
“NATO is us”, he said, adding that already two NATO commands were in operation in Hungary.
At the same time, Benkő said “We cannot predict Russia’s intentions”.
He presented in detail the progress of Hungary’s defence and army development programme and highlighted the fact that a wage increase scheme had been introduced in 2015. He added that the number of military personnel was gradually rising since 2016 which showed that a career in the armed forces had become attractive.
Russia, a sovereign country, should decide its own actions. War in the Europe is not desirable. It is, however, incorrect to say that Ukraine is a democracy. Democratic countries do not jail opposition leaders.
If or when Russia decide to attack Ukraine, Hungary must stay out of the melee.