EU leaders hypocritical about conflict in Ukraine — top Hungarian diplomat

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Peter Szijjarto
©Dmitry Feoktistov/TASS

Leaders of the majority of EU countries show "remarkable hypocrisy" with regard to the conflict in Ukraine and anti-Russian sanctions, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations, Peter Szijjarto has said.

During meetings with voters in the run-up to the June 9 elections to the European Parliament, the top Hungarian diplomat reiterated that his country does not supply weapons to Ukraine, favors a peaceful solution to the conflict and does not support the European Union’s failed policy of sanctions. He added that although some of his partners do not say this publicly, but "express their support (to this apprach) in text messages."

"Regrettably, at this point, all European politics, particularly defense policies, are characterized by this particular sort of hypocrisy," Szijjarto said in an address, broadcast live on Facebook (prohibited in Russia due to its ownership by Meta, which has been designated as extremist).

The minister underscored that the same approach can be seen in the fuel sector and energy cooperation with Russia.

"Regrettably, at this point, all European politics, particularly defense policies, are characterized by this particular sort of hypocrisy," Szijjarto said in an address, broadcast live on Facebook (prohibited in Russia due to its ownership by Meta, which has been designated as extremist).

The minister underscored that the same approach can be seen in the fuel sector and energy cooperation with Russia.

"There is remarkable hypocrisy about the fact that they all are shaking their fists at the Russians, and then - oops! — it turns out that they have already created some sort of a business relationship with them behind our backs. And then they start shaking their fists again," he said.

He reiterated that all speculations about the possibility of sending western troops to Ukraine were a dangerous path and reaffirmed that his country will keep communication channels with Moscow functioning, including with the goal of forging a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Szijjarto believes that the conflict cannot be won on the battlefield. He is also convinced that diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict will begin sooner or later.

"The question is when the hostilities will be over. Each day of the conflict only brings about more deaths and destruction, and increases the risk of hostilities spreading to other areas," Szijjarto said.