Hungary's Prime Minister Labels Russia an Aggressor for the First Time

Hungarian Prime Minister's Visit to Poland

According to Главком: During an official trip to Poland, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar publicly identified Russia as an aggressor and voiced support for Ukraine's right to self-defense. He stressed the urgent need to establish a new framework of international security guarantees that would enable Ukraine to maintain its territorial integrity. This announcement followed a meeting between Peter Magyar and Donald Tusk.

Magyar, who leads the Hungarian government, stated that

“Ukraine is the victim and has the right to defend itself by all possible means to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

He also acknowledged that

“there are victims on both sides,”

and therefore the primary goal should be achieving a ceasefire, followed by a lasting peace agreement. Magyar emphasized the importance of involving the international community to enforce these commitments, noting that 'unlike the Budapest Memorandum, we must truly guarantee compliance with these agreements, compel others to adhere to them, and ensure Ukraine's security and territorial integrity.'

Initiatives and Humanitarian Aid

The Prime Minister also proposed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, selecting Berehove in Transcarpathia as the negotiation venue. Magyar shared this initiative on his Facebook page after meeting with Berehove's mayor, Zoltan Babiak. President Zelenskyy expressed hope for a reset in Ukraine-Hungary relations.

In the summer of 2024, Peter Magyar became the first European Parliament member to personally deliver humanitarian aid to Kyiv following the strike on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital. He recalled that

“not many of my colleagues came then. We drove there in a car-I had a Ford Transit that was nearly 30 years old-and brought humanitarian aid from Hungarians.”

This gesture underscores Hungary's active role in supporting Ukraine amid Russian aggression.

This statement by Hungary's Prime Minister signals a shift in Budapest's stance on the conflict in Ukraine and highlights the critical role of international support in ensuring regional stability. The proposed meeting with President Zelenskyy could mark a significant step toward rebuilding bilateral ties between Ukraine and Hungary, potentially improving the situation in the region, especially regarding security challenges. Closer cooperation between the two countries may facilitate better resolution of humanitarian issues and strengthen security in Central and Eastern Europe.

Magyar's recent statements mark a significant shift in Hungary's stance towards Ukraine, reflecting a broader reassessment of foreign policy in the region. This change follows the new Prime Minister's visit to Poland, which signals a potential realignment in Hungary's approach to its neighbor amid ongoing tensions with Russia.