"The more weapons, the longer war will last": Szijjártó confirms Hungary's refusal to help Ukraine

CNBC reports.

Szijjártó added that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in October to see if there was any room for peace in the conflict.

The publication notes that despite being a member of the EU, Hungary maintains friendly relations with Russia, opposing European sanctions against Moscow and attempts to limit imports of Russian oil and gas. Hungary defends its energy cooperation with Russia, saying it needs to maintain energy supplies and fight inflation.

Hungary's position in Russia's war against Ukraine

Representatives of the Hungarian authorities regularly make statements that humiliate Ukrainians and their fight against the invaders. For example, in April, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called Ukraine a "financially non-existent state." He said that Ukraine pays pensions and salaries only thanks to funds provided by the EU, including Hungary.

In May, Orban expressed his belief that it was unlikely that anyone could defeat Russia, and in early June he called on Ukraine to hold peace talks, threatening it with huge losses in the event of a counteroffensive. Hungary also expressed support for China's so-called peace plan for Ukraine.

In turn, Hungarian Foreign Minister In turn, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called on U.S. and Russian Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin to sit down to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban considers it expedient to maintain "rational relations with the Russians, especially in the areas of economy and energy." 

On August 30, Orban said that Ukraine could not defeat Russia under any circumstances, so the priority should not be the country's independence, but people's lives. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded that they do not trade sovereignty.