Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó hailed his country’s “extremely effective” cooperation with Russia in the energy sector in a wide-ranging interview with the Russian news agency TASS and reiterated Budapest’s position that Russia cannot be defeated in Ukraine.

Sijarto was in Russia to participate in the Atomexpo 2024 energy forum organized in Sochi. When asked by TASS journalists in Sochi about the discussions he had at the forum with Russian officials, Sijarto replied that:

“I would like to note that Hungary and Russia have extremely effective cooperation in the energy sector. Whether we like it or not, we have to admit that without Russian supply, a stable energy supply to Hungary would be impossible. Without Russian energy resources, we would not be able to sufficiently cover the country’s needs for gas, oil and nuclear fuel.”

“In addition, we are extremely satisfied with the reliability and efficiency of cooperation with the Russian Federation in the energy sector. To date, all supplies of energy resources are carried out on time and at agreed prices in accordance with the terms of the contracts. Therefore, we see no reason not to continue working on the expansion of this cooperation,” he added to the most famous Russian state news agency TASS.

“I have always had friendly relations with the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Oleksandr Novak, who is responsible for energy policy. “I had a long meeting with the management of Rosatom, where we held a comprehensive discussion in the context of the largest and, perhaps, the most important investment project in Hungary – the construction of the new Paksh-2 nuclear power plant,” said Mr. head of Hungarian diplomacy.

His comments come in the context of last November, when the Budapest government reached an agreement with Russia to expand the Paks plant, located about 100 kilometers south of Budapest.

“It is now safe to say that the two new units will be connected to the grid in the early 2030s,” Sijarto said on November 14 after signing the agreement with Rosatom head Oleksiy Likhachev. The two new units will replace two of the four reactors currently operating at the Paksha plant.

Sijarto says that it is impossible to defeat Russia in Ukraine

To TASS’s question about the fact that “Hungary is known for its negative attitude to the issue of the introduction of troops [occidentale] in Ukraine,” replied the head of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry.

“Our position is very clear when it comes to war near us. We believe that Russia cannot be defeated in this war. But at the same time, as arms deliveries from the West continue, Russia cannot achieve a major victory either. This means that there must be negotiations.”

“So if there are going to be talks, my question is why not have them sooner rather than later? The sooner negotiations begin, the sooner a ceasefire will be established, the fewer people will die and the less destruction will be caused. And the need for reconstruction will be less,” he added.

“Therefore, our approach is that a ceasefire and negotiations should be established and started as soon as possible. Now we all know that in such a critical situation, not only actions, but also words are of great importance. Therefore, when it comes to the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine on behalf of some NATO member countries, it is really dangerous, because we do not want to face the threat. The terrible risk of the third world war is approaching,” he explained.

Szijjártó assured that Hungary “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.”

“I think there are more and more people in Europe – and when I say ‘people’ I don’t mean political leaders – who are starting to think rationally about this issue, and more and more people are inclined to oppose actions that increase the risk escalation

Hungary’s foreign minister cites the example of his own family to explain why he opposes the confiscation of frozen Russian assets

TASS reporters also asked Peter Szijjártó about Budapest’s opposition to the confiscation of Russian assets frozen in the European Union, given that Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy, recently proposed a measure in this regard, but one that would only target profits from frozen assets .

“You know, I have to tell you that the story of how my family suffered because of the communist regime is very sad. All our financial assets were confiscated only because the state wanted it so. All this led to trouble and trouble in my family, so I won’t lie [despre ce se întâmplă] if I see that the principle of this kind of expropriation returns,” explained the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary.

“Therefore, we understand that any step without a legal basis, without a court decision, for example, can lead to very, very difficult dilemmas. And those who oppose alienation worry about how it will affect the strength of the European economy itself, or the impact it will have on Europe as a place for investment. I think this is worrying,” he added.

On March 25-26, the Atomexpo 2024 forum, organized by Russia, took place.

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