Péter Magyar discloses Hungary’s position on weapons supplies to Ukraine
Photo: Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar (Getty Images)
Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar said Budapest will not supply weapons to Ukraine despite a gradual warming of relations between the two countries following the change of government.
In his post, he said he had held a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels. According to him, Hungary will once again become a "reliable partner" of the Alliance.
The sides also discussed the participation of Hungarian troops in NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and preparations for the Alliance summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.
At the same time, Magyar stressed that Budapest’s position on military assistance to Ukraine remains unchanged.
"I informed the Secretary General that Hungary will not send weapons or military equipment to the Russian-Ukrainian war," he wrote.
Relations between Ukraine and Hungary
During Viktor Orbán’s premiership, Hungary repeatedly blocked EU and NATO decisions related to support for Ukraine and also opposed arms supplies to Kyiv.
However, after Péter Magyar came to power, Budapest’s rhetoric toward Ukraine somewhat changed. In particular, the new Prime Minister acknowledged that Ukraine is a victim of Russian aggression and has the right to defend its territorial integrity.
In addition, on May 20, Ukraine and Hungary launched bilateral consultations at the expert level. The sides discussed good-neighborly relations, the protection of national minority rights, and Ukraine’s further progress toward EU membership.
Magyar has also previously stated his intention to restore the influence of the Visegrád Group within the European Union and expand cooperation with other countries in the region.
