Hungary stands firm: No participation in NATO's Ukraine mission

Budapest has reiterated its stance of not supporting vital aid for Ukraine, signalling a continued refusal to join what it terms NATO's "crazy mission" of assistance. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, conveying this sentiment on Wednesday, declared that despite immense pressure, Hungary will not participate in NATO's increased efforts. These efforts include training Ukrainian soldiers, coordinating weapon supplies, and a proposal to allocate approximately £85 billion for Kiev's support.

Szijjarto stated firmly that Hungarian soldiers would not participate in such activities, nor would they permit them to be on Hungarian soil. "We want to stay out of financing of that, too," he further clarified.

Szijjarto suggests that NATO's actions are attempts to pull Hungary into the conflict, accusing the Alliance of overstepping boundaries it set for itself at the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a Wednesday meeting with British counterpart David Cameron, Szijjarto highlighted the variance in stance between London and Budapest regarding Ukraine. While acknowledging the UK as an ally with whom Hungary shares consensus on several matters, he pointed out a significant divergence in ending the Ukraine conflict.

Szijjarto remarked that the United Kingdom is their ally and is aligned with them on many critical issues. However, their views greatly diverge on the most pressing matter of how to end the war in Ukraine.

Budapest has consistently voiced its opposition to NATO taking a more substantial role in weapon transfers and the training of Ukrainian forces. In early April, discussions on the Alliance's long-term support for Kyiv included a proposition to establish a fund worth approximately £85 billion, funded proportionally by NATO members' GDPs.

The administration under Viktor Orban has been a vocal critic of Western military aid to Kyiv, stalling the EU's financial aid of about £42.5 billion to Ukraine until early February. Moreover, Budapest has resisted Ukraine's closer ties with NATO and the EU, stopping short of formally hindering the commencement of accession talks between Brussels and Kyiv.