Ukrainian FM says Hungary's new leader continues Orbán's isolationist policy
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (x.com/andrii_sybiha)
Hungary's policy of blocking and isolating Ukraine continues even after former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán left office. Now, it is reflected in the messages of the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.
Sybiha responds to Magyar
Sybiha said he was surprised by the Hungarian prime minister's "unnecessarily confrontational statements" toward Ukraine.
"The Carpathian Integration Initiative is aimed at the development of our entire region, contributing to prosperity, interconnectivity, and mutually beneficial projects across eight Carpathian countries," the minister said.
According to him, he does not know the reasons behind Hungary's categorical refusal.
Sybiha also called the statements about the impossibility of cooperation between Ukrainian and Hungarian energy companies an equally strange development.
He believes that political interference in pragmatic business cooperation does no good.
Orbán's policy is thriving
According to Sybiha, the latest statements from Budapest suggest that Orbán's spirit remains in Hungarian politics.
"It seems that while Viktor Orbán is gone, his policies of obstructionism and isolationism continue to thrive," Sybiha said.
In his view, "Orbánism" in the past brought no benefit either to Hungary or to the broader region. "And it will not do anyone any good" in the future, the minister said.
"Despite these statements, we still reiterate Ukraine’s willingness and openness to developing mutually beneficial, pragmatic, and respectful bilateral cooperation with Hungary," Sybiha said.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Hungary considers the construction of Ukrainian oil storage facilities in the country a threat and has strongly opposed the plans, Magyar said.
He also said that Hungary is not a member of the Carpathian Eight, which aims to strengthen cooperation among countries in the region and was proposed by Ukraine.
