Hungarian Defense Minister: West not ready to shoulder war on Russia
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Hungary's Defense Minister states that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has changed the balance of power and the economic situation in Europe.
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Hungary's Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky arrives at the European Air Defense Conference at Les Invalides monument in Paris, on Monday, June 19, 2023. (AP)
Hungarian Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky stated at a Business Leaders Forum in Budapest yesterday that the West is not ready to supply Ukraine with weapons for its conflict with Russia indefinitely.
Ukraine has been pleading with its Western allies for more financing and weapons, as it faces severe personnel and ammo depletion on the front lines. The EU, however, has not wrapped up its next aid package to Ukraine, and US lawmakers have not accepted additional funding for the country before starting their winter break earlier this week.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky stated, “We, the West, are waging a war [against Russia] in which the Ukrainians are fighting with Western money, Western weapons, and Western ammunition,” adding that regarding weapon systems, ammunition, and other supplies, the West is not ready strategically to shoulder a “seemingly endless war.”
He further described the Ukraine conflict as a “terrible massacre,” adding that it has changed the balance of power and the economic situation in Europe.
As his country is still refusing to supply Ukraine with weapons, he emphasized that he “will not change this position under any pressure,” urging Ukraine to strengthen its own military force so that it can shield itself from outside threats.
Hungary continues to resist pressure
Hungary's stance regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict is one of resisting conflict with Russia, and the country has urged an immediate ceasefire and the initiation of peace negotiations.
It has also criticized Brussels’ sanctions on Moscow, as it believes that this only hurts the EU more than Russia, amid the economic problems the bloc has faced over the past two years, including deepening inflation and a decline in economic growth.
In addition, Hungary had opposed the EU’s step to aid Ukraine with another €50 billion ($54 billion) but eventually took back its veto due to pressure from Brussels.
Not all EU countries agree with Hungary
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a security pact with his French counterpart Macron at the Elysee Palace yesterday.
Hours earlier, he completed a similar deal with Germany which was praised by Chancellor Olaf Scholz who described it as a "historic step" in support of Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia.
Both agreements are part of Zelensky's plan to get aid and support for his forces in the war against Russia.
The French agreement guarantees Ukraine up to 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in aid for 2024, after 1.7 billion in 2022 and 2.1 billion last year, officials revealed, adding that this agreement will run for 10 years, strengthening the artillery field cooperation.
This deal's main goal is to aid Ukraine with the "re-establishment of its territorial integrity within its internationally-recognized borders", and anticipate "any renewed Russian aggression," the officials confirmed.
