Hungary says pressure is being exerted on countries advocating peace in Europe

Politicians and countries advocating peace in Europe and resolution of the conflict in Ukraine are facing pressure in Europe. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told the Future Summit in New York on September 23.

"European politicians usually favor diplomacy and peaceful resolution of certain wars if they happen far away from Europe. But today, unfortunately, there is conflict in Europe, and those who advocate peace are immediately stigmatized, attacked and criticized," TASS quoted the diplomat as saying.

The foreign minister also noted that the United Nations should become a platform for dialog between all countries, even those in conflict, to seek peace.

Hungary has repeatedly advocated a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. In July, Budapest called on the European Union (EU) to open communication channels with Moscow, but maintain contact with Kiev. In September, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the first step toward peace should be a ceasefire and called on all countries to demonstrate their interest in achieving peace.

Hungary assumed the presidency of the EU Council on July 1, but according to German political analyst Alexander Rahr, the country is there nominally.

The EU has imposed sanctions and fines against Hungary because of its migration policy, which violates pan-European rules. On June 13, an EU court sentenced Hungary to a €200 million fine and daily payments for failing to comply with decisions on migrants. On September 18, the European Commission announced that it would deduct this amount from Hungary's payments for non-payment of the fine.