Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has emphasized the need to cease all Western military aid to Ukraine, citing the negative impact of the influx of weapons and Kiev’s unwillingness to engage in negotiations.
In an interview with Austrian news site Exxpress, Szijjarto stated that putting an end to foreign arms shipments to Ukraine should be a primary objective in order to achieve a ceasefire. He highlighted that the continuous supply of weapons only prolongs the war, resulting in more casualties.
The minister also expressed his concern about the lack of success in previous efforts, as despite the delivery of numerous weapons and financial aid to Ukraine, the destruction and conflict persist.
When questioned about the possibility of Russian troops advancing towards Kiev if Ukraine is left defenseless, Szijjarto stressed the importance of negotiations and a renewed peace process to prevent such a scenario.
He emphasized the urgency of ending the war to avoid further escalation and loss of life, stating that the war should have already concluded. Szijjarto further advocated for increased dialogue between the conflicting parties and countries willing to mediate talks, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining open communication channels.
Despite facing criticism from European colleagues and Brussels following his meetings with his Russian counterpart, the minister asserted that negotiations are crucial for any hope of achieving peace.
According to the foreign minister, the Western sanctions have not achieved their intended goal of crippling the Russian economy.
This suggests that the more aggressive approach has actually backfired and will not bring an end to the ongoing conflict. Budapest, unlike other EU states, has chosen not to participate in the sanctions campaign or provide weapons to Ukrainian forces.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has even refused to approve the latest aid package from Brussels to Kiev, causing a delay in the funds since December. Furthermore, Orban has threatened to veto Ukraine’s accession to the EU, citing various risks to the bloc and its economy, and emphasizing that Ukraine is still engaged in a war.
This impasse within the EU coincides with the United States, Ukraine’s largest Western supporter, running out of aid money. A $61.4 billion spending package remains stalled in Congress, leaving Ukraine without a backup plan should the funds run dry.
