“Hungary is putting aside disputes with Ukraine during this war and understands the Ukrainian statements critical of Hungary, because as long as weapons are being fired, all efforts must be poured into achieving peace,” said István Grezsa, Ministerial Commissioner. The politician explained: our nation, and the Hungarians of the Carpathian Basin, are doing everything in their power to help the refugees. He also said that after the war, Transcarpathia will need new minority nationality politics.
I accept, with deep understanding, the critical statements of Hungary from Ukrainian leadership, as Russia is currently at war with our eastern neighbor. This is an enormous burden in all respects
– said the Ministerial Commissioner in charge of development between Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County and Transcarpathian cooperation. István Grezsa emphasized that this war has serious human casualties and more; thereby, Ukrainian leadership is trying to involve others in the conflict. Grezsa understands this Ukrainian perspective. He indicated that Hungary would provide all humanitarian assistance possible to those fleeing to Hungary and those who remained in Transcarpathia, Ukraine.
He also expressed, however, that the Hungarian government must represent Hungarian interests:
Hungary wants to stay out of this war. We must preserve our nation’s peace and security.
“Clearly, at this point, style, timing, and the fact that Hungarian elections are coming to a close, is secondary. As long as war is waging, peace is the only alternative – and we are committed to this. Because of this, I was calm even when I saw unsympathetic Ukrainian opinions. The left’s statements are much more worrying; the left wants to plunge our country into war – this is what is at stake this Sunday,” said the Minister.
Superhuman efforts
István Grezsa said that there is no question that Hungary is making superhuman efforts to manage the influx of refugees – and the Ukrainian media is not sufficiently showing this. “There is no better proof than the fact that we have always been good, reliable neighbors to this enormous nation, Ukraine,” emphasized the politician. He pointed out however, that we must prepare for a long-term humanitarian catastrophe and crisis. Hungary must continue to help even when willingness declines and when our own problems become increasingly prominent – because this war will have serious economic consequences. According to him, if it is up to the left, then there will be catastrophic economic consequences. “And just as after the pandemic, the world will not be the same after the Russian-Ukrainian war.”