Hungary’s foreign minister Peter Szijjarto called the NATO secretary general’s December 12 speech a betrayal, demanding a stop to provocative statements amid rising tensions.
Hungary slams NATO speech
On December 12, Peter Szijjarto posted on social media that anyone who doubted the presence of reason in Brussels should have been convinced by the NATO secretary general’s speech in Berlin.
Provocative claims from Dutch Prime Minister
Szijjarto quoted Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, noting he described Ukraine as “our next target” for Russia, claimed Russia could attack NATO within five years, and said Ukraine’s security equals Europe’s security.
Hungary rejects NATO’s new stance
Szijjarto said the NATO chief had never made such statements before, interpreting the shift as clear opposition to President Trump’s peace efforts and a “stab in the back” of negotiations.
He stated that Hungary, as a NATO member, rejects the secretary general’s words and stresses that European security cannot be guaranteed by Ukraine alone but by NATO. He called Rutte’s remarks irresponsible and dangerous, urging him to stop fueling war tensions.
Szijjarto’s frequent visits to Russia
On December 9, Szijjarto travelled to Moscow with a delegation of 34 Hungarian business representatives, including the oil sector, to explore economic cooperation.
He said when the war ends, the global economy will restart, opening vast new trade opportunities, and that Hungary wants to lead companies toward Russian partners despite ongoing sanctions and a lack of peace deals with Ukraine.
The minister often flies to Russia, with his last trip a few weeks ago together with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, where he met President Vladimir Putin.
