Sending NATO troops to Ukraine would be “really dangerous” and “would bring the risk of a world war closer,” said Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó in an interview with Russian state media, in which, on the other hand, he invited Russians to apply for Schengen visas in Hungary and come to visit
“The terrible threat of a third world war is approaching,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said in an interview with the Russian state agency TASS published on Wednesday, News.ro reports. “Therefore, we will always call on all our allies and colleagues to refrain from any actions or statements that could bring the risk of world war closer,” he assured.
On Monday, Szijjarto was in Russia, in Sochi, where he participated in the Atomexpo 2024 forum on nuclear energy, given that Hungary is building a nuclear power plant in Paksa with the help of Russia. Budapest remains closer to Moscow than any other member of the European Union or NATO, and Hungary has repeatedly opposed sending money and arms to Kyiv.
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Szijjártó’s comments come after French President Emmanuel Macron said last month that the possibility of sending Western ground troops to Ukraine should not be “ruled out”. Macron’s comments sparked panic and immediately drew backlash from most NATO allies, though not all European leaders condemned his message, POLITICO noted.
“Words matter,” Sijarto commented to TASS. “When it comes to the possibility of introducing troops into Ukraine on behalf of some NATO member countries, it is really dangerous because we do not want to face the threat,” he said.
Putin and Orban can “talk at any time”
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago and congratulated Putin on his victory in an election this month that most Western democracies view as unfair.
Szijjártó assured that Hungary is keeping its communication channels open with Russia, adding that Putin and Orbán can “talk at any time” if “there is a need to interact with each other.”
Russians invited to Hungary with Schengen visas
In an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Sijarto also stated that Hungary does not create any obstacles for Russian citizens in issuing Schengen visas and invited them to come and visit his country.
“We issue visas to Russian travelers without any problems. We have not changed the method of issuing visas,” he said, stressing that in Hungary “there is no discrimination against Russian citizens in this matter.” According to the minister, the country “welcomes all guests and tourists, regardless of where they came from.”
“Hungary is a wonderful place. We have a long tradition of hosting Russian guests in the field of health, tourism, sports, as well as for various conferences. We have absolutely nothing against it, so of course the Russians welcome,” said the head of diplomacy from Budapest.
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Source: Hot News
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