Hungary will not contribute to funding US-supplied weapons for Ukraine should Washington formally request European backing, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on 14 July, deepening divisions within the EU over defence aid to Kyiv.
Speaking at a press conference, Szijjártó was unequivocal: “Hungarian money, Hungarian weapons, and Hungarian soldiers will not be sent to Ukraine. Nothing will be sent there.” His remarks came ahead of any official US approach to the EU to jointly finance American arms shipments to Ukraine, and in stark contrast to the readiness of other European countries to increase their military support.
Szijjártó’s statement echoed Hungary’s long-standing opposition to supplying Ukraine with arms or financial aid for military use — a position that increasingly isolates Budapest within the European Union.
Berlin steps up as Budapest digs in
While Hungary signals its refusal to take part in future aid initiatives, other European leaders are reinforcing their commitment. On 10 July, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed Berlin’s intention to purchase additional Patriot air defence systems from the United States and transfer them to Ukraine. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius later clarified that, following deliveries to Ukraine and Poland, Germany would be left with only six such systems — underlining the extent of its military contribution.
Despite this, Szijjártó insisted that weapons deliveries do not contradict peace initiatives promoted by US President Donald Trump. He claimed that “no one has done more for peace in Ukraine than Donald Trump”, and argued that Trump’s efforts were hindered by European and Ukrainian leaders in recent months.
Szijjártó praises Lavrov–Rubio talks
The Hungarian foreign minister also welcomed recent talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, held on 10 July in Kuala Lumpur, calling them an “encouraging development”. According to Szijjártó, such diplomacy offered hope for de-escalation, in contrast to continued weapons support.
These remarks align closely with long-running narratives from the Kremlin, portraying military assistance to Ukraine as an obstacle to peace. In a separate comment, Szijjártó blamed both Kyiv and Brussels for undermining Trump’s peace initiatives, amplifying a message frequently echoed by Moscow.
EU unity under pressure
Budapest’s stance is a growing concern for European unity on security matters. Szijjártó’s declaration not only contradicts the prevailing consensus among EU states but also risks fracturing the bloc’s collective approach to deterring Russian aggression. Analysts warn that Hungary’s position weakens Europe’s strategic posture and provides further space for Kremlin influence within EU institutions.
Moreover, Hungary’s repeated opposition to Ukraine-related resolutions in Brussels is increasingly seen as tacit support for Moscow. By refusing to support common European efforts — financially or politically — Budapest is undermining shared defence strategies at a critical time for transatlantic security.
Strategic implications
As Washington weighs a new proposal to mobilise European funds for military aid, Hungary’s anticipated veto threatens to complicate EU decision-making. Without unanimity, joint financing initiatives could stall, reducing the scale and speed of weapons deliveries to Ukraine — a consequence that would benefit Russia on the battlefield.
The EU’s ability to act as a coherent security actor may hinge on its capacity to address these internal fissures. For now, Hungary’s position remains unchanged, leaving European partners to shoulder an increasingly disproportionate share of the defence burden.