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Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjarto, addressed the perceived hostility towards European leaders who prioritise national interests during his remarks to Russian media at the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Thursday.
"There's usually a very hostile approach in Europe against those who put national interests first. And I might say this is not only a European but a global phenomenon," Szijjarto stated. "There are attempts to put pressure on patriotic, sovereignist, pro-peace politicians, a legal way, like against President Trump, a physical way, like against Prime Minister Fico, or a political way, like against us."
Despite this, Szijjarto affirmed that Hungary would persist with its national interest-focused policies. This stance comes amid increasing tensions in Europe, where leaders such as Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico have faced backlash for opposing EU sanctions on Russia and advocating for peace negotiations over military support to Ukraine.
Fico, who was attacked in May allegedly due to his political views, has consistently urged for the use of diplomatic influence by the US and other powers to broker a peace agreement.
Szijjarto also highlighted his upcoming participation in the peace summit on Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16. He emphasised Budapest’s commitment to advocating for peace instead of supporting further sanctions and hostile actions, which he believes escalate conflicts.
"We are absolutely interested in a peace to come as soon as possible. We are speaking about this openly. We argue in favour of immediate ceasefire and peace talks to be started. And we respect all initiatives to make peace. That's why we respect the efforts of the Swiss as well," Szijjarto commented.
SPIEF 2024, held from June 5-8, has attracted participants from over 136 countries, serving as a key platform for international dialogue on economic and political matters since its inception in 1997. The forum continues under the patronage and participation of the Russian Federation.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
Since the start of the military offensive, around 60 countries joined with EU and US sanctions policies on Russia.
Last month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that more than 20,000 restrictions were already in place, targeting finance, defence, energy, transport, technology, culture, science, and industry. Additionally, a number of sanctions have been imposed on specific individuals and organisations.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov claimed that restrictions will only 'boomerang' on those attempting to impose them.
'Very hostile approach in Europe against those who put national interests first' - Hungarian FM Szijjarto
Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjarto, addressed the perceived hostility towards European leaders who prioritise national interests during his remarks to Russian media at the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Thursday.
"There's usually a very hostile approach in Europe against those who put national interests first. And I might say this is not only a European but a global phenomenon," Szijjarto stated. "There are attempts to put pressure on patriotic, sovereignist, pro-peace politicians, a legal way, like against President Trump, a physical way, like against Prime Minister Fico, or a political way, like against us."
Despite this, Szijjarto affirmed that Hungary would persist with its national interest-focused policies. This stance comes amid increasing tensions in Europe, where leaders such as Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico have faced backlash for opposing EU sanctions on Russia and advocating for peace negotiations over military support to Ukraine.
Fico, who was attacked in May allegedly due to his political views, has consistently urged for the use of diplomatic influence by the US and other powers to broker a peace agreement.
Szijjarto also highlighted his upcoming participation in the peace summit on Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16. He emphasised Budapest’s commitment to advocating for peace instead of supporting further sanctions and hostile actions, which he believes escalate conflicts.
"We are absolutely interested in a peace to come as soon as possible. We are speaking about this openly. We argue in favour of immediate ceasefire and peace talks to be started. And we respect all initiatives to make peace. That's why we respect the efforts of the Swiss as well," Szijjarto commented.
SPIEF 2024, held from June 5-8, has attracted participants from over 136 countries, serving as a key platform for international dialogue on economic and political matters since its inception in 1997. The forum continues under the patronage and participation of the Russian Federation.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
Since the start of the military offensive, around 60 countries joined with EU and US sanctions policies on Russia.
Last month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that more than 20,000 restrictions were already in place, targeting finance, defence, energy, transport, technology, culture, science, and industry. Additionally, a number of sanctions have been imposed on specific individuals and organisations.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov claimed that restrictions will only 'boomerang' on those attempting to impose them.
No access EU media/EU territory. For further info please contact Client Service
Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjarto, addressed the perceived hostility towards European leaders who prioritise national interests during his remarks to Russian media at the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Thursday.
"There's usually a very hostile approach in Europe against those who put national interests first. And I might say this is not only a European but a global phenomenon," Szijjarto stated. "There are attempts to put pressure on patriotic, sovereignist, pro-peace politicians, a legal way, like against President Trump, a physical way, like against Prime Minister Fico, or a political way, like against us."
Despite this, Szijjarto affirmed that Hungary would persist with its national interest-focused policies. This stance comes amid increasing tensions in Europe, where leaders such as Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico have faced backlash for opposing EU sanctions on Russia and advocating for peace negotiations over military support to Ukraine.
Fico, who was attacked in May allegedly due to his political views, has consistently urged for the use of diplomatic influence by the US and other powers to broker a peace agreement.
Szijjarto also highlighted his upcoming participation in the peace summit on Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16. He emphasised Budapest’s commitment to advocating for peace instead of supporting further sanctions and hostile actions, which he believes escalate conflicts.
"We are absolutely interested in a peace to come as soon as possible. We are speaking about this openly. We argue in favour of immediate ceasefire and peace talks to be started. And we respect all initiatives to make peace. That's why we respect the efforts of the Swiss as well," Szijjarto commented.
SPIEF 2024, held from June 5-8, has attracted participants from over 136 countries, serving as a key platform for international dialogue on economic and political matters since its inception in 1997. The forum continues under the patronage and participation of the Russian Federation.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
Since the start of the military offensive, around 60 countries joined with EU and US sanctions policies on Russia.
Last month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that more than 20,000 restrictions were already in place, targeting finance, defence, energy, transport, technology, culture, science, and industry. Additionally, a number of sanctions have been imposed on specific individuals and organisations.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov claimed that restrictions will only 'boomerang' on those attempting to impose them.