„We have struck a very important and very favourable agreement” with NATO, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in an interview with public radio, citing a deal under which Hungary would not participate in the Ukraine mission. He said there was a basic difference in opinion within NATO, with 31 of the 32 member countries „wanting to defeat the Russians”. Since Ukraine alone is unable to achieve this, they support Ukraine, believing that there was a solution in the battlefield, Orbán said. Hungary’s position is that this was a mistake and instead of supporting either side, they should be forced to sign an immediate ceasefire, he added. Hungary belongs among the „accepted, appreciated, loyal, and cooperative, very cooperative countries” in NATO, with 1,300 Hungarian soldiers serving in foreign missions, defence spending being above 2% of GDP, air police activities being carried out by Hungarian aircraft above neighbouring countries and the Baltic countries, and Hungary fulfilling NATO liaison roles in central Asian and African states, he said. „NATO is our home,” Orbán added. At the same time, „NATO is supporting the war, and we are on the side of peace.” NATO’s Ukrainian mission will be set up, with three bases coordinating weapon deliveries. Hungary has rejected to take part, because weapon transfers could make the countries a target of the enemy, he said.
„I don’t want to risk Hungary’s security and Hungarians’ peace by turning even a square centimetre of the country into a Russian military target.” Besides coordinating weapon deliveries, NATO member states are „putting money together” and taking direct role in the training of troops, he said.
„Hungary is under huge pressure: 31 countries are pushing us to defect from the side of peace to that of war, or rather … the side that thinks peace can be won by war and by winning the war.” Orbán said Hungary had set clear requests to NATO, including the statement that „we wouldn’t give a farthing” for the mission or allow Hungarian soil to be used to prepare military action; nor will Hungary deliver weapons or take part in action outside NATO territory, he said. Regarding the stance of Ukraine’s other neighbours, Orbán said Romania and Poland saw themselves in a position where they could be of the most help to Ukraine, as they are the closest to the front lines. „The Slovaks are cautious, the Hungarians unequivocal,” he said. Regarding the Peace March held on the eve of the elections in Budapest, Orbán said the protest had been the „greatest expression of public will” in recent period and had demonstrated that „Hungary must remain an island of peace”. Peace should not come under threat from outside or inside, he said, adding that European experience had shown that „there is no peaceful life if there are migrants”. Orbán said the other threat was war.