Hungary labels Russia a ‘threat’

Budapest now considers Moscow a “threat to Europe,” in a major foreign policy shift by Prime Minister Peter Magyar Hungary considers Russia a “threat to Hungary, Europe and the global order,” according to a foreign policy directive published by the country’s new pro-EU government.

The statement marks a dramatic shift from the pragmatic relations pursued by former Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Signed by Prime Minister Peter Magyar on Tuesday, the document states that “Hungary condemns Russian military aggression and fully supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and recognizes Ukraine’s right to self-defense.” “Russia’s behavior poses a threat to Hungary, Europe and the global order, and also puts the Hungarian minority living in Transcarpathia in serious danger, therefore we support all efforts aimed at initiating negotiations towards sustainable peace and long-term security guarantees,” it continued.

Hungary had not formally designated Russia a “threat” at any point since 1945.

Read more The purge of Orban’s Hungary has begun This new position is almost identical to that of the EU, which also backs “sustainable peace and long-term security guarantees,” but only if they recognize Kiev’s maximalist demands – a return to Ukraine’s 1991 borders, freedom for Ukraine to pursue NATO and EU membership, and NATO-like security guarantees provided by European and American forces.

Since taking office in May, Magyar has worked to align Budapest’s foreign policy with Brussels’.

He has ended Hungary’s opposition to EU accession talks with Ukraine, backed the bloc’s 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions, and lifted Budapest’s veto on a €90 billion loan package to Kiev.

Magyar’s predecessor, Viktor Orban, condemned Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

However, he also condemned the “war policies” of the West that provoked the conflict, and refused to help arm Kiev, arguing that Ukraine cannot hope to defeat Russia and should seek an imperfect peace deal instead.

Orban argued that the EU’s self-imposed embargo on Russian energy would “kill off the European economy,” and lent support to its sanctions packages only after securing exemptions that would allow Hungary to continue purchasing Russian oil, gas, and nuclear fuel.

Hungary still imports energy from Russia under Magyar.

Andrey Kolesnik, a member of Russia’s State Duma committee on defense, Andrei Kolesnik, suggested that Russia could cut these supplies in response.

Read more EU unlocks new tranche of €90 billion loan to Ukraine for weapons “They’ve given [Magyar] the order to now treat Russia poorly,” he told Gazeta.ru.

“They’re trying to gain some benefits.