Hungary will provide Ukraine with support from NATO and allies

Hungary will be excluded from NATO’s next effort to support Ukraine in defending itself “against Russian aggression,” allowing other Atlantic alliance partners to do so, the organization’s secretary general said Wednesday.

“Not a single Hungarian element will participate” in the activities to be agreed upon at the next North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Washington in July, Stoltenberg told a press conference in Budapest, accompanied by Hungary’s ultranationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Stoltenberg explained that NATO accepts Budapest’s position, while the Hungarian government has pledged not to oppose and “tolerate” actions in support of Kyiv by “other allies,” the two politicians agreed at a closed-door meeting this Wednesday, at which both sides also agreed that Hungarian funds would not be used.

“During today’s negotiations, Hungary made it clear that it does not intend to block NATO decisions, which, despite the difference from the Hungarian position, are supported by other member states,” Orban confirmed.

Orbán pointed out in his meeting with Stoltenberg that according to NATO’s charter, allies are not obliged to engage in activities outside the territory of member states.

Hungary “has received the necessary guarantees,” Orban said, stressing that his country will continue to be a loyal and committed member of the Atlantic Alliance.

Stoltenberg stressed that Hungary will not undermine the efforts of the Atlantic Alliance to consolidate assistance to Ukraine.

“Prime Minister [Viktor Órban] and I agreed that Hungary would not prevent other allies from committing to financial support for Ukraine and that NATO would play a leading role in coordination,” Stoltenberg said.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.