Siyarto: we openly say that we want to cooperate with Russia in the areas where there are no sanctions
Hungary is ready to openly discuss cooperation with Russia in areas that are not subject to EU sanctions. However, this must be in line with national interests.
This was stated by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto at a briefing in Prague following a meeting of Visegrad foreign ministers. He clarified that some countries do this covertly.
"In those sectors where there are no sanctions, yes, on a pragmatic basis, where it is in our national interests, we would like to develop cooperation with the Russians, as many European and transatlantic countries do," Szijjarto said.
He noted that Russian gas supplies to Europe, Russian oil imports from India, and nuclear fuel supplies from Russia to non-European NATO countries have increased.
"I think you will not raise this issue only with those who are ready to discuss it openly," Sijjarto told reporters.
It should be noted that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has reduced Russian gas imports by 71%, but Budapest didn't do this but also signed a new contract with Moscow for additional volumes of Russian gas.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó have consistently shown their favor for the Kremlin. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Hungarian authorities have been making statements that contradict the EU's common position of support for Kyiv.
In particular, according to media reports, Viktor Orban wrote in a letter to Putin congratulating the Russian dictator on his "election victory."
In the letter, the Hungarian prime minister called support for dialogue a prerequisite for a speedy resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized that Hungary is ready to expand cooperation with Russia in areas where it is possible under international law.
As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Hungary will block the transfer of profits from seized Russian assets to Ukraine. The European Commission's proposal to transfer 90% of the proceeds from Russian assets to Ukraine is supported by most EU countries, but one vote from Hungary is enough to stop the transfer. Therefore, it will not be possible to decide at the Summit.
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Peter Szijjarto
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