Szijjártó mocked Berbok over statements about aid to Ukraine

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, in the context of statements by German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock on assistance to Ukraine, recalled her reservation about Moscow's "360-degree turn". He said this at a press conference on February 21.

Szijjártó commented in this way on the publication of the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung that Berbock had "blabbed" about the amount of the new European Union (EU) aid package to Ukraine, hinting at its volume of 700 billion euros.

"At the same time, she is also capable of mathematical miracles, as someone who can make a 360-degree turn in the opposite direction makes a revolution in math, so it definitely deserves respect," Sijjarto's words were quoted by the TASS news agency.

He added that Hungary would not support any EU decisions aimed at continuing the conflict in Ukraine, this also applies to new financial aid packages for Kiev, which were planned to be approved at the council of foreign ministers on Monday.

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On February 19, Szijjártó said that the Hungarian government plans to discuss with the US leadership the lifting of economic sanctions against Russia, including in the energy sector. At the same time, the minister emphasized that the restrictions also harm the economy of Hungary itself. He noted that he will hold a working meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for this purpose.

On the same day it was reported that Hungary achieved an exemption from sanctions for oil and raw materials of the Russian Federation. Szijjártó emphasized that despite the fact that the EU sanctions against Russia failed and caused significant damage to the European economy, Brussels adopted a new sanctions package under pressure from Poland and other countries. However, important relaxations were envisioned for Hungary.