Hungary Rejects EU Funding for Military Supplies to Ukraine
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Budapest, Dec 17 (NationPress) Hungary has once again exercised its veto power against the European Union's (EU) proposed distribution of 6.5 billion euros ($6.83 billion) aimed at supporting member nations that are supplying arms to Ukraine, as stated by Foreign and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto in Brussels.
Following a session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Szijjarto confirmed on his official Facebook account that he had obstructed the allocation of funds from the European Peace Facility, referring to Hungary's enduring opposition to obligatory contributions for arms shipments, according to reports from Xinhua.
"Hungary has never provided weapons nor contributed to any arms shipments," Szijjarto remarked. He emphasized that while Hungary would not obstruct member states from voluntarily funding such initiatives, it would not endorse making these contributions mandatory.
Szijjarto also expressed his opposition to the suggested transfer of an EU coordination unit to Kyiv and the deployment of advisors for security sector reforms in Ukraine. He labeled these actions as "extremely hazardous and likely to escalate the conflict," pointing out the risks associated with personnel deployment under an EU mandate.
Furthermore, the minister dismissed proposals to impose sanctions on Russia's UN ambassador and its Olympic Committee, asserting, "Blending sports with geopolitical issues is intolerable."
Characterizing Brussels' stance as a "pro-war agenda" that overlooks a "new reality" influenced by recent Russian military successes and the reelection of US President Donald Trump, Szijjarto voiced broader discontent with EU policies.
Szijjarto expressed disappointment over the council's rejection of his government's recent Christmas ceasefire initiative. "Not only was there no backing for a ceasefire that could preserve lives, but many opposed it," he noted. He emphasized that stopping the conflict could achieve what armaments worth tens or hundreds of billions of euros have failed to do: preventing further Russian advancements.
