Szijjarto: Hungary maintaining ban on weapon transports to Ukraine

Ukraine’s foreign minister has asked the alliance intensify its arms deliveries, Peter Szijjarto told journalists. However, NATO, as an organisation, has repeatedly declared that it is not a participant in the conflict and will not supply weapons to Ukraine, the minister said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the war had entered a new phase and preparations must be made for a war that could last for several years.

NATO members agreed that everything should be done to prevent the war from spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders, he said, adding NATO’s current strategy may have to change accordingly.

“This is not our war,” Szijjarto said, adding that the most important aim was to stay out of the conflict and to advance the swiftest possible restoration of peace.

In Hungary’s general election at the weekend, Hungarians expressed more clearly than ever that they want peace and security, he said. Any transit of weapons across the territory of Hungary would result in direct security threat, and based on the “nation’s decision”, Hungary will not allow direct weapon deliveries to Ukraine, he added.

As things stand, the same applies to supplies of arms to the Western Balkans, he said.

Thanks to this ban, the Red Cross can securely coordinate humanitarian tasks from Debrecen, he said.

The NATO meeting concluded with several achievements, he said. Sanctions will not affect crude oil or natural gas supplies, or activities linked to nuclear energy production, which is important for the operation of the Paks nuclear power station, he added.

Szijjarto noted that the NATO meeting of foreign ministers was the first attended by the alliance’s Asia-Pacific partners.