Hungary to refuse being involved in NATO decisions on Ukraine, but won't block them either — Stoltenberg

Hungary promises not to block NATO's decision on Ukraine
Hungary promises not to block NATO's decision on Ukraine

Hungary will not participate in NATO decisions regarding Ukraine, but won't block them either, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on June 12, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

Orban made this decision, and Stoltenberg agreed with this stance.

"I am pleased that today the Prime Minister and I agreed on a modality for Hungary not to participate in NATO support for Ukraine,” NATO Secretary-General said.

Read also: NATO to offer Ukraine a 'bridge' to membership at Washington summit

“No Hungarian representatives will be involved in this activity, and no Hungarian finances will be used to support it."

Stoltenberg expects allies to approve long-term funding to ensure "predictable" military support for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., scheduled for July.

"The Prime Minister assured me that Hungary will not oppose these efforts and will allow other allies to move forward," he added.

Read also: NATO's new envoy to Ukraine: Signal of support or consolation prize?

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg abandoned the plan to create a €100 billion support fund for Ukraine. He is asking countries to maintain their current contributions instead, Bloomberg reported on June 7.

NATO summit in Washington

The NATO summit will take place in Washington, D.C. on July 9-11, 2024.

Stoltenberg invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the event in April, however, doubting that Ukraine will receive an invitation to join NATO at the summit.

Read also: Ukraine's NATO entry and strengthening Ukraine - what Poland hopes to see at July's NATO Summit

Zelenskyy hopes for two summit outcomes: more air defense systems supplies and concrete steps towards Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance.

Western partners have urged Ukraine not to demand an invitation to NATO at this year's annual summit in Washington, The Telegraph reported on May 28, citing unnamed sources.

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