Recently, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, revealed some startling news: foreign intelligence agencies tried to sneak weapons out of Hungary and send them to Ukraine. Luckily, Hungary’s counterintelligence services caught these attempts and stopped them.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Gulyas answered questions from a Hungarian newspaper called Magyar Nemzet. He confirmed that there were efforts to use Hungary’s military industry to deliver weapons to Ukraine. However, he proudly stated that Hungary’s counterintelligence was quick to act, ensuring these illegal deals didn’t go through.
Gulyas made it clear that Hungary has no plans to send any of its weapons or ammunition to Ukraine. He emphasized that this stance is firm and will not change.
Interestingly, the Magyar Nemzet report mentioned that intelligence agencies from both NATO member countries and those outside the alliance were involved in trying to purchase Hungarian-made weapons and ammunition. Their goal? To supply combatants in Ukraine and even in Africa.
The backdrop to this situation is Hungary’s unique position in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. When the war escalated in February 2022, Orban’s government stood out as the only dissenting voice among EU nations, refusing to support Ukraine without conditions. Just a month after the conflict intensified, Hungary imposed a ban on the transit of weapons meant for Ukraine through its territory. They also halted the export of locally-made military equipment to the war zone.
Orban has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and peaceful talks instead of escalating the conflict. He also opposes the EU’s sanctions on Russian energy. His position gained more strength last year when Robert Fico’s government took over in neighboring Slovakia, shifting away from its predecessor’s approach of aiding Ukraine.
In recent weeks, Orban has criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s so-called “victory plan” and has urged the EU to reconsider its policies in favor of a peaceful resolution. He has even accused certain high-ranking EU officials of wanting to orchestrate a “regime change” in Hungary, hoping to replace him with a government more compliant with Brussels.
As tensions continue to rise in Europe, Hungary remains a key player, standing firm in its beliefs while navigating the complex landscape of international politics. This revelation about foiling foreign weapons deals adds another layer to Hungary’s intriguing role in the unfolding drama of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
