Hungary stands with Ukraine, says Foreign Minister Szijjártó
In his live statement, Péter Szijjártó said that the worst-case scenario in the neighbourhood has come to pass, a war that even the diplomatic efforts of the biggest and strongest countries have failed to prevent.
He underlined that Hungary will be part and parcel of all alliance consultations concerning decisions on a co-ordinated response.
The most important task of the government is to guarantee the security of the Hungarian people,
stressed the Minister.
He said that the representations in Ukraine are operational, including the embassy in Kyiv.
In the video, Szijjártó also said that he had consulted with Ambassador István Íjgyártó in Kyiv, who informed him that the situation in the centre of Kiev is calm for the time being, with no signs of battle.
He added that the embassy staff are safe, that the conditions for work are alright and that the Ukrainian National Guard has doubled the protection of the embassy. He asked Hungarians in the eastern or central part of Ukraine to contact the embassy in Kyiv.
For the time being, there is calm in Transcarpathia, where contacts with Hungarian leaders and foreign missions are ongoing,
said Szijjártó.
He said that if further steps were needed, Hungary would take them quickly and in a timely manner, and that public opinion would be informed as soon as possible.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has early on Thursday announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine, which was immediately followed by the bombardment of miliatry facilities in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro, and artillery fire on the border. Ukraine declared martial law. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced a full-scale Russian invastion, saying "this is a war of aggression." The West has condemned the attack, with the EU and the United States, as well as others, promising severe sanctions.
To anyone who would consider interfering from outside: If you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All the relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me,
said Putin in a televised statement.
Cover photo: MTI
