Closing the war requires diplomatic instead of military solution

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky pointed out that Hungary consistently stands up for peace and welcomes the new Czech government’s taking a stand on the side of peace and supporting a diplomatic settlement of the war in Ukraine.

The minister also said that Ukraine’s policy is suitable for interfering with the upcoming elections in Hungary. Despite the fact that it is legally bound to operate it, by taking an unilateral decision, Ukraine keeps the Druzba crude oil pipeline closed, which is the key to the cheap energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia. Hungary will not give in to blackmail – pointed out the minister.

Speaking about his discussion with Jaromír Zuna, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that it was an occasion when the military, security leaders of two long-standing and closely connected states met with each other.

He underscored the importance of defence industrial cooperation between the two countries, mentioning, by way of example, that they have recently agreed on the collaboration between Tatra and Rába companies, so the Hungarian armed forces’ small arms are manufactured under Czech license in large quantities, and Aero Vodochody has delivered L-39 Skyfox training aircraft to the Hungarian military.

He also said that the Czech Republic and Hungary are both committed to the Visegrád Four (V4) format, and stand up for the V4 cooperation. He noted that Hungary holds the Czech Republic in high esteem as a reliable regional partner and committed NATO ally, and recalled that Hungary is partnering with Czechia in conducting air policing tasks over Slovakia in 2026.

The minister also said that they consider the cooperation with Czechia important with regard to the Székesfehérvár-based Headquarters Multinational Division – Centre (HQ MND-C) as well.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky wished for peace to return to Central Europe as soon as possible, and noted that both the Czechs and the Hungarians are doing all they can to make it happen.

Jaromír Zuna said that like Hungary, they also wish that the war in Ukraine end as soon as possible and that the conflict be resolved through diplomacy rather than with weapons.

He added that Hungary and the Czech Republic are cooperating in the fields of defence and security, their relations are based on solid and real foundations, are developing dynamically and have great perspectives.

He noted that he is convinced that the ministries and the armed forces of the two countries will be able to further deepen their cooperation in the future, not only in the military field but also in the fields of logistics, military medicine and defence planning. He pointed out that theirs is a long-term partnership as well, in which they are striving to mutually strengthen regional security and security within the Alliance.

He also said that the Czech partners marvel at the modernization of the Hungarian armed forces, the pace at which the Hungarian defence industry is building and cooperating with the Czech defence industry.

Speaking about the V4, he emphasized that the Czech Republic considers the issue of cooperation with its neighbors as fundamental, because what they share is more than a geographical space: their histories and cultures have much in common, and the present and the future also binds them together, just as the issue of security in this sense as well. He said that it is their conviction that regional cooperation in V4 is a strong means for the further strengthening of defence and security.

He also said that they are planning to establish a battle group within the framework of the V4 by 2028, in which the Czechs are going to fill a leading role, and expressed his hope that they will be able to make good use of the possibilities offered by the joint battle group for the benefit of the EU.