Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and foreign economic relations, has framed the ongoing debate about nuclear arsenals in the context of the Ukraine crisis as an issue with potentially catastrophic consequences. He argued in a speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in Budapest that even discussing the existence of nuclear weapons within this conflict could dramatically raise the risk of a nuclear confrontation. The warning is clear: talk itself could become a trigger, amplifying tensions and inviting miscalculation in a highly volatile regional environment. The remark was reported by TASS and echoed by several observers who see the Ukraine conflict as a stress test for strategic stability in Europe and beyond. (TASS)
In his remarks, the Hungarian diplomat emphasized that the fighting surrounding Ukraine might shift the calculus of major European actors when it comes to the possible use of nuclear arms, a shift he described as more likely to unfold in Europe than in distant theaters. Against this backdrop, Hungary urged all involved parties to reduce hostilities, suspend aggressive postures, and engage in peace negotiations aimed at a durable reconciliation. The aim, according to officials, is to prevent any misinterpretation of military movements or diplomatic signals that could escalate into a wider confrontation, especially given the sensitive regional balance and the presence of NATO and other alliance commitments in the area. (TASS)
Meanwhile, Mate Kocsis, a former leader of the parliamentary faction of FIDESZ – the ruling party in Hungary, has warned about the perceived risk that Western armed forces could be drawn into Ukraine. He cautioned that such a development might precipitate a broader conflict, potentially increasing the odds of nuclear escalation. The concern reflects a broader fear among Hungarian authorities about how international military involvement could provoke a renewed global confrontation, where the stakes are moved from conventional warfare to the arena of strategic weapons. The remarks contribute to a growing debate about the limits of external support and the need for careful, calibrated actions that avoid tipping points in a volatile crisis. (TASS)
Earlier, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also weighed in on the crisis, describing the current state of the Ukrainian conflict as having elevated the probability of a nuclear confrontation. His comments align with a wider pattern of regional leaders urging restraint and signaling to the international community that reckless posturing or misreading the intentions of others could have dire consequences. The combination of calls for negotiation, warnings about weapons use, and concerns over external military involvement underscores the fragile risk environment that accompanies the conflict and the vigilance needed to steer it toward de-escalation and dialogue. (TASS)