Hungary Opposes NATO Becoming Anti-China Bloc, Cites Unity Concerns Over Ukraine's NATO Membership

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that Hungary does not support NATO becoming an 'anti-China' bloc. At a NATO summit, he mentioned Ukraine's membership could weaken the group's unity. The NATO draft communique accuses China of aiding Russia in Ukraine, but Hungary maintains China as a crucial trade partner.

Hungary has voiced its opposition to NATO transforming into an 'anti-China' bloc, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto making the stance clear during a NATO summit in Washington on Thursday.

Speaking on the sidelines, Szijjarto also commented that Ukraine's admission to NATO could potentially weaken the alliance's unity. A draft summit communique had accused China of being a pivotal supporter of Russia's war efforts in Ukraine and continued to view Beijing as a systemic threat to European and global security.

China retaliated, calling the communique biased and divisive. Szijjarto emphasized NATO's defensive nature, saying, 'we can't organise it into an anti-China bloc.' Amidst this geopolitical tension, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss potential peace solutions for Ukraine.

The meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin has stirred discontent among some EU leaders, given the bloc's aim to avoid engagements with Moscow. At the NATO summit, leaders reiterated support for Ukraine's eventual NATO membership, although Hungary expressed fears that such a move would lead to greater risks of conflict with Russia.