V4 defence ministers meet in Slovakia

The countries of the Visegrad Group (V4) have a vested interest in peace being restored in Ukraine as soon as possible, Hungary’s defence minister said on Tuesday.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said after a meeting of V4 defence ministers in Banska Stiavnica (Selmecbanya), in southern Slovakia, that the sides had been in agreement that every effort must be made to prevent the escalation of the war and the involvement of the V4, the European Union and NATO in it.

The meeting focused on the war, the current and future cooperation of V4 countries in defence and the defence industry, army development and the Western Balkans, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

Hungary’s position on helping Ukraine has remained unchanged, he said, citing the largest humanitarian scheme in the country’s history to help refuges and assist in caring for the injured, and in demining and training in military first aid.

“We condemn Russian aggression and maintain the importance of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he added.

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