Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg came to an agreement on Wednesday after challenging negotiations. Stoltenberg accepted Orbán’s decision for Hungary not to participate in NATO’s defense of Russia’s war in Ukraine. However, Hungary has pledged not to obstruct other nations from financially supporting Ukraine. Stoltenberg expects NATO allies to agree on coordinating security assistance and providing training for Ukraine, as well as making a long-term financial pledge to support military efforts.
Orbán assured Stoltenberg that Hungary would not stand in the way of other allies providing financial support to Ukraine, despite Hungary’s decision not to participate in NATO’s defense efforts for the Russian-Ukrainian war. The country, with its 1,300 soldiers involved in NATO operations and 2% of GDP allocated to the national military budget, will continue to meet its NATO commitments. Orbán stated that Hungary will not contribute funds or personnel to the war in Ukraine or allow Hungarian territory to be used for involvement in the conflict.
According to Orbán, the recent European elections have reinforced his government’s decision to refrain from participating in wars outside of NATO’s area of operation. This led to the difficult decision not to send Hungarian personnel to participate in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Despite Hungary’s non-participation, Orbán confirmed that Hungary will continue to fulfill its NATO commitments and not oppose the efforts of other allies to provide financial support for Ukraine.
At the upcoming NATO summit in Washington next month, US President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts are expected to establish a new system for providing more predictable and long-term security and military training assistance to Ukraine. The agreement reached between Orbán and Stoltenberg allows other NATO allies to move forward with providing support to Ukraine, while Hungary focuses on meeting its current NATO obligations without participating in the defense of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Despite the challenges faced during negotiations, both parties have established a clear understanding and respect for Hungary’s decision not to be directly involved in the conflict.
