Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó emphasized the urgent need for peace in Ukraine, highlighting that lives can only be saved through peaceful means. This statement was made during his recent visit to Uzhhorod, as shared in a Facebook post on Jan. 29.
In a significant gesture, Szijjártó, along with Andriy Yermak, the head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Presidential Office, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, visited Calvary, Uzhhorod's largest cemetery. The cemetery is the final resting place for many Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives in the ongoing war.
Szijjártó's poignant message on Facebook, "More and more people are killed on the battlefield, we must not allow even more to die! The war must end, human lives can only be saved through peace,” reflects the grave concern for the escalating human toll of the conflict.
The visit to Uzhhorod by the Hungarian minister and his delegation was primarily aimed at holding discussions with Ukrainian officials. Yermak, before the meeting, expressed his intention to foster better relations with Budapest through open and honest dialogue.
Oleg Nikolenko, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, noted that the primary focus of these talks was organizing a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This meeting is expected to facilitate significant decisions within the EU and further the comprehensive development of bilateral relations between Hungary and Ukraine.
Previously, Kuleba and Szijjártó met in Brussels on Dec. 11 for the first time since the full-scale invasion began. The European Union's decision to commence negotiations with Ukraine on EU accession was a key topic of their discussion.
Szijjártó has been a vocal advocate for ceasing arms supplies to Ukraine, claiming it prolongs the war. He has also opposed sanctions against Russia and engaged in talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to strengthen cooperation. This visit and Szijjártó's call for peace mark a significant moment in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
