Hungary is ready to become a neutral venue for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. This was stated by the country's Prime Minister Peter Madjar in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Budapest also expressed support for the idea of providing security guarantees to Kyiv, but formulated its approach to this issue with important caveats.

Weapons are not a guarantee of security

During the conversation with journalists, Madjar was asked whether he believes that a sufficient volume of military aid and weapons for self-defense is a necessary part of future security guarantees for Ukraine. The Hungarian Prime Minister disagreed with this approach.

According to Madjar, real guarantees can only be provided by the collective political will of leading states, not by the quantity of equipment supplied.

«I do not believe that weapons are a guarantee of security. Security guarantees can only be provided by the international community. Hungary cannot play a decisive role here; this is a matter for great powers», — he stated.

Three areas of Budapest's participation

Madjar clearly outlined three areas in which Hungary is ready to join the conflict resolution process. According to him, the country can provide:

  • Diplomatic assistance;
  • Humanitarian support;
  • Territory for holding negotiations.

Position on military aid and visit to Berlin

The interview was published immediately after Madjar's visit to Berlin, where he met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. At a joint press conference, the Hungarian Prime Minister confirmed that even under the new government, Hungary will not send weapons or soldiers to Ukraine.

Context of the change of power

Recall that in April 2026, Madjar's party «Tisza» won the parliamentary elections in Hungary, ending Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule. The new Prime Minister immediately after coming to power stated that Ukraine is a victim of an unprovoked attack by Russia and has the full right to defend its territorial integrity.

It is worth noting that the idea of Hungary as a venue for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow is not new. Earlier, even under Orbán's government, the then Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto declared readiness to host such negotiations.