Magyar Says Ukraine Must Decide Its Own Peace Terms, Opposes Fast EU Accession

April 14 ------ Peter Magyar, Hungary’s newly elected opposition leader, said that Ukraine alone must determine the conditions of any peace settlement with Russia, while also opposing Kyiv’s accelerated path toward European Union membership. “No one should tell Ukraine under what conditions it must enter peace or sign a peace treaty,” Magyar said in remarks to reporters. “We cannot ask any country to give up its territory. If they do, they would be considered traitors.”

Magyar acknowledged Ukraine as the victim of the conflict but struck a cautious tone on his own potential role in diplomacy. Asked whether he would engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said he would answer a phone call but would not initiate contact. “If Vladimir Putin calls me, I will pick up the phone,” Magyar said. “I will not call him myself, but if we do talk, I can tell him to please stop the killing now, after four years.” He added that he did not expect his words to carry decisive influence with the Russian leader, but expressed hope that Putin would ultimately be compelled to end the war regardless.

On the question of EU membership for Ukraine, Magyar broke with the European mainstream, saying his party does not support expedited accession for a country still at war. “It is absolutely absurd for a country at war to be admitted to the European Union,” he said, without indicating whether he would support membership once hostilities cease.

Magyar also addressed Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian energy, signaling that his government would pursue diversification but stop short of a full break with Moscow’s supply chains. “Russia stays here, Hungary stays here,” he said. “We will always get oil as cheaply and safely as possible.” The comments offer an early window into the foreign policy outlook of the man who won election against Prime Minister Viktor Orban, ending Orban’s 16-year reign.

Source: kyivpost.com