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FM: Hungary is unwilling to send ammunition to Ukraine

“Hungary is not supplying ammunition … we want peace,” the foreign minister said.

Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said Hungary is unwilling to send ammunition to Ukraine, though it will not stop other European Union countries from doing so.

Speaking in Brussels, Minister Szijjártó said Hungary was constructively abstaining at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting which decided to increase arms shipments and finance one billion euros worth of artillery shells for member states to supply Ukraine from their own stocks as part of the European Peace Framework. “Hungary is not supplying ammunition … we want peace,” he told a press conference held during a break from the meeting. “That’s why we’re not taking part … We’re not supplying ammunition to Ukraine, neither are we preventing others from doing what they want…” Hungary’s contribution to the EPF is 1%, or around ten million euros, to be used for other purposes such as working for the stability of the Western Balkans and reducing migration pressure, Minister Szijjártó said, adding that Hungary would not take part in procuring ammunition or delivering it to Ukraine. Minister Szijjártó noted Brussels was still fomenting “an atmosphere of war” and that countries promoting peace were under mounting pressure to fall in line. He added that a diplomatic settlement was the only way to save lives.