In exchange, Hungary does not block NATO decisions in which the others are united.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Hungary on Wednesday to hold talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. It was primarily about the Russian-Ukrainian war, but they also discussed the agenda of the NATO summit to be held in July. The parties later held a press conference.
Viktor Orbán began the press conference by saying that he was happy that the relationship between NATO and Hungary had strengthened during Jens Stoltenberg's term as Secretary General. It was said that 1,300 Hungarian soldiers are participating in the organization's various operations.
The prime minister stated that Hungary fulfills its obligations to NATO.
Regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, he said that Hungary's position differs from that of the others. He justified all of this by saying that the country does not have sufficient ability and strength to change the large number of differing opinions.
So you don't want to block decisions that others share. All military actions outside NATO territory can only be voluntary based on NATO rules. This was confirmed by the Secretary General
Viktor Orbán declared.
Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that Hungary has always been an esteemed member, and the country is also home to important military headquarters. He also mentioned that Hungary supports stability in the Western Balkans, and since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it has provided shelter to people coming from the war-torn country.
Jens Stoltenberg believes that all this contributes to common security. The Secretary General also spoke about the fact that NATO has gone through perhaps its most significant transformation since 2014.
Jens Stoltenberg and Viktor Orbán last spoke by phone in March, which the NATO Secretary General reported on his social media page. He then described that he had a good phone call with Viktor Orbán in preparation for the NATO summit in July, and added, referring to the Russian-Ukrainian war, that
"we are strengthening our defense and increasing our cooperation with partners. The security environment has become more dangerous, but NATO has also become stronger."
At their meeting on Wednesday, they mainly discussed the war and discussed the agenda of the NATO summit.
Jens Stoltenberg previously stated that the alliance should continue to support Ukraine and expressed hope that the member countries will manage to make the decisions necessary for "defense and deterrence".
The Secretary General emphasized that NATO not only participated in the trainings, but also undertook long-term financial obligations. In this regard, he reminded that since Russia's full-scale invasion launched in 2022, the member states of the alliance have provided Ukraine with military aid worth EUR 40 billion annually, and this aid must be maintained as long as necessary.
On Tuesday, Jens Stoltenberg attended the Bucharest Nine summit in Riga, where he assured the countries of NATO's eastern wing of his full support in the event of a possible external attack. "NATO has the forces, assets, capabilities and political will to protect all allies," the secretary general said.
In his Monday interview with M1, Viktor Orbán talked about the Secretary General's arrival in Hungary on Wednesday. Then he said that they will discuss how Hungary can stay out of NATO's mission in Ukraine.
Featured image: In the image published by the Prime Minister's Press Office, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (j) receives NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (b) in the Carmelite Monastery on June 12, 2024. MTI/Prime Minister's Press Office/Zoltán Fischer
