Hungarian PM Viktor Orban has dismissed an appeal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for weapons and tougher sanctions against Russia, saying it would be “against Hungary’s interests”.
Orban rejected Zelensky’s demands at the European Council “because they are contrary to the interests of Hungary”, Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said in a statement.
“Hungary wants to stay out of this war, so it will not allow the transfer of arms and weapons to Ukraine,” Kovacs said.
Orban says that the ethnic-Hungarian minority in the west of Ukraine would be threatened if Hungary sent weapons to Kyiv.
Hungary, an EU and Nato member, has refused to send military aid to Kyiv, or let it cross its territory. However, it has allowed more than half a million Ukrainian refugees to enter its territory.
Orban, a nationalist, has cultivated close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years.
Zelensky used an address to EU leaders on Thursday to call on Orban to approve expanding sanctions, let weapons through to Ukraine, and cut off business ties with Russia.
“Listen, Viktor, do you know what’s going on in Mariupol?” Zelensky said, referring to Ukraine’s besieged south-eastern port city.
“Once and for all, you should decide who you are with,” he said.
Source: BBC