Szijjarto: Remarks about sending European troops to Ukraine go against NATO decisions

Asked at a press conference to comment on recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron in which he said he did not rule out Western troops being sent to Ukraine, Szijjarto warned against making “dangerous statements” that risked escalation.

The minister said words and declarations “weigh far heavier” in tense situations than in times of peace, underlining that Hungary would not send troops to Ukraine “under any circumstances” and was also sticking to its decision against delivering weapons.

Szijjarto welcomed, at the same time, the clear declaration by several European leaders not to send troops to Ukraine, either.

He noted that two years ago, NATO declared that it was not party to the war, and that everything possible needed to be done to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia.

“This decision is one that is still in effect and was taken with the agreement of every member state,” the minister said. “And not only have we not overruled this decision, but we have not even debated the possibility of modifying it.”

Asked about European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s remarks about the risks of war for the EU, Szijjarto said the EU’s security and economic situation had deteriorated under von der Leyen’s EC presidency.

“So it would be preferable if — in this short amount of time that’s left of her term — she didn’t make remarks or decisions that further worsen the European situation either from a security or economic standpoint,” Szijjarto said.