The head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested in front of the Ukrainian embassy. “We don't owe anything”
What were the reasons for the protest in front of the Ukrainian embassy?
Who was the keynote speaker at the demonstration?
What slogans appeared on the banners?
What did the Hungarian government do regarding the conflicts with Ukraine?
The President of Ukraine is harsh on Viktor Orban. The head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs protests
The head of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented Budapest's position towards the ongoing war in Ukraine to those gathered at the demonstration. — A senseless war has been going on in our neighborhood for four years. All this time, every day, they are trying to draw us into it. Brussels and Kiev want to drag Europe into war, send Europeans' money to Ukraine and drag Ukraine into the European Union. Budapest says no to all this, Szijjarto said.
The minister emphasized the categorical rejection of claims against Hungary. — We do not owe Ukraine anything, neither soldiers, nor money, nor EU membership. That is why Ukrainians are increasingly trying to interfere in our elections, he said, referring to the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12. He added that Kiev's goal is to obtain a pro-Ukrainian government in Hungary.
Banners with Zelensky and Magyar
Hungarian flags and banners depicting the president of Ukraine and Peter Magyar, Orban's main political rival, predominated among the protest participants. The posters showed Zelensky holding a baby with Magyar's face and the slogan read: “Say NO to the Ukrainian puppet.” Other banners compared the Ukrainian leader to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, and Ukraine was compared to the mafia.
The assembly lasted about an hour and ended with the singing of the Hungarian national anthem.
Conflict over the Druzhba pipeline
The latest escalation in tensions between Budapest and Kiev began in late January when the Druzhba pipeline carrying Russian oil to Hungary was damaged in a Russian attack. The Ukrainian authorities assure that repair work is ongoing, but Orban's government maintains that Kiev is deliberately blocking the restoration of gas transit. In response, Budapest stopped deliveries of diesel oil to Ukraine, blocked the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia and a loan to Kiev worth EUR 90 billion.
