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Hungarian Foreign Minister dodges questions on Russia during interview
Péter Szijjártó was a guest on ATV's Egyenes Beszed ("Straight Talk") program on Wednesday, and had to answer some tough questions about Hungary's position on the Russian-Ukrainian war. First, the host, Györgyi Szöllősi, stopped him from using the usual "Brussels" rhetoric, as he had to explain what he meant by "Brussels," to which the Minister of Foreign Affairs replied, "the European mainstream."
When asked why it is a problem that European countries are arming themselves, especially when Hungary is doing the same and even establishing an arms factory, Szijjártó said he disagrees with arming Ukraine, as the war "cannot be changed on the battlefield."
During the discussion, the host brought up NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's statement that Russia is constantly testing NATO's defense capabilities. "Don't ask me, I don't work for the Russian government, I work for the Hungarian government," Szijjarto responded
When the host confronted him with the fact that when Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán talks about Brussels wanting to drag Europe into war, he is repieating Vladimir Putin's words, Szijjártó replied that he did not care what "the Russians, the Barbadians or the Bermudians" thought, because "it is petty and sick to look at" the similarities between the two countries' positions.
Budapest–Belgrade line to open in February, Hungarian Transport Minister says
Hungary’s construction and transport minister, János Lázár, told parliament’s Economic Committee that the long-delayed Budapest–Belgrade railway line could open on 20 February, provided work continues as planned. He acknowledged that progress in Serbia had recently slowed, while construction in Hungary had accelerated, noting that the section between Subotica and Belgrade is already in operation. Lázár also referred to the Chinese loan agreement underpinning the project, saying its terms remain a trade secret and can only be disclosed with the consent of the parties involved. During the hearing, he highlighted a new investigation into all public-investment subcontracts and the European Investment Bank’s approval of a major loan that will enable almost HUF 800bn worth of rail infrastructure upgrades.
Lázár set out a broader vision for raising Hungary from the ranks of moderately developed countries, pointing to the scale of his ministry, employing 1,930 people directly and nearly 50,000 through the MÁV-Volán transport group. He praised what he saw as strong public procurement performance over the past decade and the recent rise in bus and rail passenger numbers following ticket price cuts. Toilet renovations across the network, he said, had also improved conditions for most travellers. But he warned that almost half of the country’s state roads require urgent work and that the next government will have to confront this reality. Lázár added that Budapest’s HÉV suburban rail lines, beginning with the Szentendre route, need a full overhaul, and said the government would settle its outstanding debts to the capital by year’s end. Renovation of the city’s major railway stations, he argued, will only be possible through private-sector involvement, as MÁV will not have the necessary funds for decades.
Hungary to sue over EU decision on Russian gas
Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó, has warned that an EU agreement to phase out Russian natural gas would have severe consequences for the country, insisting that Budapest cannot comply with what he called a “Brussels dictate.” He argued that Hungary cannot be supplied without Russian energy and claimed that once the regulation takes effect, household electricity bills would rise at least threefold. Instead of commenting on the NATO talks, Szijjártó described the move as political and ideological, saying it undermines Hungary’s energy security and that the government will “protect everyone.”
Szijjártó confirmed that Hungary will take legal action as soon as the legislation is adopted, saying preparations for a lawsuit are already underway and will be coordinated with Slovakia. He argued that the decision breaches EU treaties by encroaching on national energy policy, constitutes “legal fraud” by disguising sanctions as trade measures to avoid the need for unanimity, and contradicts the European Commission’s own impact assessment. While Euronews noted that such proceedings can take years, Szijjártó said, “It would be a shame if we couldn’t get this done in two years.” The draft regulation, agreed on Wednesday by EU governments and the European Parliament, is expected to move quickly through formal approval, with the European Parliament scheduled to vote under an emergency procedure on 16 December.