Hungary has reaffirmed its opposition to plans by the European Union to expand its military involvement in Ukraine. Speaking at a foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Budapest would not support the deployment of EU military instructors or advisors to Ukraine, warning that such a move could pose a “serious risk of escalating the war toward Europe.”
His remarks reflect Hungary’s long-standing divergence from the broader EU stance on the Ukraine conflict, especially regarding military support and sanctions targeting Russia’s energy exports.
Szijjártó stated that while Hungary remains a member of the EU and NATO, it does not support initiatives that could deepen the bloc’s military footprint in the region. In his view, sending military personnel to Ukraine could be interpreted as direct engagement, increasing the likelihood of confrontation between the West and Russia.
“Deploying EU instructors or advisors in Ukraine carries the risk of dragging Europe into the war,” he said, according to media reports.
He further stressed that military assistance to Ukraine is not a mandatory obligation under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), meaning that member states are not legally required to contribute troops or advisors unless they choose to do so voluntarily.
The Hungarian foreign minister also voiced firm opposition to any new EU sanctions targeting Russian energy exports. According to Szijjártó, such measures would only harm Europe’s own energy stability and disproportionately affect member states still reliant on Russian oil and gas.
He cited what he described as a “double standard” in Western diplomacy, noting that while the EU debates restrictions, senior U.S. and Russian officials continue direct communication.
“While the EU is hours behind in energy negotiations, American representatives are flying back and forth between capitals. Presidents of the U.S. and Russia are on the phone, their top aides are meeting — and yet we are expected to sever our ties,” Szijjártó said.
Hungary has long argued for maintaining pragmatic energy ties with Russia and has previously secured exemptions from EU embargoes on pipeline oil imports.
In response to criticism over its stance, Szijjártó reiterated that Hungary bears no responsibility for the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. He emphasized that Budapest supports peace and humanitarian aid, but it will not contribute to military escalation or sanctions that, in his words, “hurt Hungarians more than they hurt Russia.”
Hungary’s position has placed it increasingly at odds with EU leadership and many fellow member states, especially as the bloc debates deeper support for Kyiv in light of recent Russian attacks, including the deadly April 13 strike on Sumy.
Hungary’s resistance to deeper military and economic engagement in Ukraine underscores growing divisions within the European Union over how to manage the war’s fallout. While countries like Poland, the Baltic states, and Germany advocate stronger deterrence, Hungary and, to some extent, Slovakia have taken more cautious positions.
Analysts suggest that these disagreements could delay or dilute common EU responses in the months ahead, especially with key budget and defense initiatives on the table.
Washington continues to monitor the EU’s internal dynamics as it weighs its own Ukraine strategy amid an evolving political climate. While the U.S. has taken a leadership role in military and financial support for Kyiv, growing dissent within the EU may complicate long-term coordination across the Atlantic.
