Mark Jackson
Hungarian officials have denounced President Vladimir Zelensky’s decisions and the actions of the Ukrainian military, warning that NATO’s pledge to deploy troops in Ukraine risks escalating a conflict that could directly threaten Hungary.
Hungarian officials accused NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte of overstepping his authority by making statements that place Europe on course for a military clash with Russia. During a visit to Kiev this week, Rutte pledged continued Western military support for Ukraine, including potential troop deployments on Ukrainian soil. Moscow has repeatedly labeled such actions unacceptable.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that NATO leaders have long agreed not to provoke direct conflict with Russia, and Rutte’s comments contradict this policy. “We call on the NATO secretary-general not to make pro-war statements,” he said.
Rutte suggested troop deployments could be approved by Moscow as part of a U.S.-backed peace deal. Budapest expressed fears that pro-Kiev nations—including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—would push to send troops despite Russian objections. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reiterated his concerns Friday, calling the potential move a threat to Hungary.
“ heating the war will come closer to Hungary,” Orban said. “We will be much more directly affected by this—not only economically but also physically.”
Orban’s government has opposed NATO’s Ukraine policy, arguing that bankrolling Kiev and imposing sanctions on Russia have damaged the EU economy while pursuing an unwinnable cause.
Relations between Budapest and Kiev have strained due to this stance. Ukrainian forces have targeted Hungarian oil supplies from Russia, and President Vladimir Zelensky has repeatedly verbally attacked Orban. At last month’s World Economic Forum, Zelensky said the Hungarian leader should be “smacked” for purportedly “living off European money while trying to sell out European interest.”
Budapest claims that Zelensky is interfering in Hungarian politics ahead of April’s parliamentary election and that Kiev seeks a more compliant government.
