NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Hungary will not participate in future NATO decisions regarding Ukraine, but will not block them either.
"At the summit, I expect allies to approve NATO's leading role in coordinating and providing security assistance and training for Ukraine. I also expect allies to approve long-term funding to provide military support. This will provide the predictability and accountability that Ukraine needs. Prime Minister Orbán has clearly stated that Hungary will not participate in these NATO efforts, and I have accepted this position," Stoltenberg said on Wednesday in Budapest during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after their bilateral meeting.
"I am pleased that today the Prime Minister and I approved the modality for Hungary not to participate in NATO's support for Ukraine. No Hungarian personnel will be involved in this activity, and no Hungarian funds will be used to support it. At the same time, the Prime Minister assured me that Hungary will not oppose these efforts and will allow other allies to move forward," Stoltenberg added.
In turn, Orbán noted that it is well known that Hungary's position on the war Russia is waging against Ukraine differs from that of most allies.
"Hungary acknowledges the fact that there are opinions within NATO that differ from ours. We have always been allowed to share our opinion... Hungary does not have the capabilities or the power to change its view. Hungary has made it clear that it does not intend to block any NATO decisions that may differ from our, as we believe, rational analysis of the situation," the Hungarian Prime Minister said.
According to Orbán, Budapest has received guarantees that it will not participate in any operations outside NATO territory.
"What we focused on at today's meeting, and I asked the Secretary General to make it clear, is that any operation outside NATO can only be on a voluntary basis... therefore Hungary has been given the guarantees it requested," Orbán stated.
The Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that Budapest has received guarantees regarding "Russia's war against Ukraine."
"When it comes to military operations beyond (NATO's responsibility), we will not participate, Hungary will not provide funding and personnel for this war, nor will Hungarian territory be used for any involvement in this war. We have been given guarantees on everything we deemed necessary. It was a difficult but constructive discussion with the Secretary General," he detailed.
Stoltenberg expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, saying, "I am glad that we have our way forward, which will allow NATO allies to approve (decisions regarding Ukraine) and accept Hungary's position of non-participation."
