Defence Minister: Hungary sees ceasefire as path to ending war

The minister said in a statement after a meeting with his European Union counterparts that he had made it clear regarding arms deliveries to Ukraine and the issue of increasing the funds of the European Peace Facility that Hungary did not support any measure that would lead to further escalation.

“Continuing weapons deliveries clearly leads to an escalation of the situation,” the minister said.

It is not weapons, but an immediate ceasefire and starting peace talks that will end the war, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. Hungary supports peace and does not send weapons to Ukraine, he said, adding that the country was helping Ukraine through its largest-ever humanitarian aid programme.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky said future support to Ukraine was conditional on the country removing Hungary’s OTP Bank from its sanctions list.

Meanwhile, he said the war also highlighted the importance of strengthening the capacities of the European defence industry, which the Hungarian government also supports.

“Reviving and strengthening the Hungarian defence industry is a priority for us,” the minister said. This will meet the needs of the Hungarian Armed Forces and contribute to Hungary entering international markets as well, he added.