Ukraine accuse Hungary as an ally Russia help the president Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of his country.
Kyiv’s comments came days after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban won elections for the fourth time.
Orban is the leader of a European country with the closest ties to Putin.
“It seems that, after the elections, Budapest has taken the next step, which is to help (Russian President Vladimir) Putin continue his aggression against Ukraine,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday.
Shortly after Orban and his Fidesz party won last weekend’s election, Putin called the prime minister and offered his congratulations.
The two leaders also had another telephone conversation on Wednesday, April 6, during which Orban said Hungary was ready to pay for Russian gas in rubles – a move rejected by the majority of other European Union countries.
Kyiv also commented on it. According to Ukraine, Hungary’s decision to pay gas in rubles was an unfriendly step.
“Such (Hungary) statements also contradict the EU’s consolidated position,” the Ukrainian foreign ministry was quoted as saying AFP.
Even so, Orban is said to have also urged Putin to immediately impose a ceasefire in Ukraine. He even invited Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and the German chancellor to meet in Budapest.
However, Ukraine considers Hungary’s initiative to host peace talks to look cynical.
“If Hungary really wants to help end the war, here’s how to do it: stop destroying unity in the EU, support new anti-Russian sanctions, provide military assistance to Ukraine, and not create additional sources of funding for Russia’s military machine,” the statement said.
Ukraine claims Hungary is reluctant to admit Russia’s “irrefutable responsibility” for Moscow’s “cruelty” in its country.
“This can strengthen Russia’s sense of impunity and encourage it to commit new atrocities against Ukraine,” the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.
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