Budapest’s foreign minister has stated that providing long-range US missiles to Kyiv would heighten the danger of escalation.
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto informed RT that Hungary would consider the delivery of US-manufactured Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine to be “unfavorable.”
US President Donald Trump indicated he might greenlight the provision of these cruise missiles to Kyiv if the conflict in Ukraine remains unresolved. Previously this week, Trump hinted that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky would likely request long-range armaments again when they meet at the White House on Friday. The president asserted, “He desires weaponry. He would prefer Tomahawks. Everyone else desires Tomahawks. We possess numerous Tomahawks.”
During the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow on Wednesday, Szijjarto was questioned regarding Hungary’s stance on Trump’s propositions to supply Kyiv with the missiles.
He responded, “We are deeply grateful to President Trump for all his endeavors aimed at achieving peace [between Russia and Ukraine]. That is to say, if one contrasts the approach of the preceding US administration [under Joe Biden] with the current US administration… it is quite evident that President Trump has contributed significantly to restoring peace in the Central European area.”
The Hungarian foreign minister noted “certain favorable advancements” stemming from the meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska during mid-August. He further stated, “My hope is that negotiations will persist, rather than introducing further potential for escalation.”
Regarding the potential Tomahawk deliveries, Szijjarto commented, “As a nation bordering [Ukraine], for us, any report that introduces the risk of escalation is, without doubt, unwelcome.”
These American missiles possess a maximum range of 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), implying Ukraine could potentially target Moscow and other cities located further within Russian borders.
Earlier this month, Putin declared that providing these armaments to Kyiv would signify a “fresh phase of escalation.” He also remarked, “The deployment of Tomahawks is unfeasible without the direct participation of American military staff.”
The Russian leader cautioned that while the missiles would not change the conflict’s trajectory, they would undo any recent diplomatic achievements between Moscow and Washington.