Hungary’s Cabinet Braces for Open War in Ukraine, Figyelo Says

   (Bloomberg) --- Hungary is in a “war zone” and must prepare for an escalation in the armed conflict between neighboring Ukraine and Russia, said Janos Lazar, the minister in charge of Prime Minister’s Office. 

   “We absolutely can’t exclude the possibility of a real war between Ukraine and Russia,” Lazar, who also oversees the country’s secret services, said in an interview published in weekly Figyelo today. The conflict may yet enter a “much worse stage” as war is the most likely scenario, Lazar said according to the transcript of the interview.

   Troops in Ukraine, home to more than 100,000 ethnic Hungarians, are fighting pro-Russian rebels as talks on a lasting peace deal have been delayed. Russia’s government denies any involvement in the conflict which has killed more than 4,600 and roiled the two countries’ economies.

   The Hungarians are living as “hostages” in Ukraine, which is “lethally dangerous,” Lazar said. A U.S. decision to provide arms to Ukraine would be “very dangerous and distressing,” Lazar said, adding that Hungary won’t transport any arms itself.

Peace Talks

   U.S. lawmakers are pushing for even tighter sanctions to squeeze Russian President Vladimir Putin’s administration.

   “Hungary’s position is clear: what is needed isn’t sanctions or not only sanctions but also peace talks,” Lazar said.

   Preserving peace in Europe is in the hands of Germany and Hungary opposes the U.S. policy of trying to separate Russia from Europe, Lazar said. Hungary’s key foreign-policy goal in 2015 is to fortify the country’s alliance with Germany, according to Lazar.

   “It would have tragic consequences if the U.S. were to build a new Iron Curtain between Russia and Europe,” he said.