Hungary rejects Zelensky's request for weapons, sanctions against Russia

Orban rejected Zelensky's demands on the European Council “because they are in conflict with Hungary's interests”, Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said in a statement.

“Hungary wants to stay out of this war, so it will not allow the transfer of weapons to Ukraine”, Kovacs said.

Orban says the ethnic-Hungarian minority in western Ukraine would be threatened if Hungary sent weapons to Kiev, the BBC writes, broadcasts Klankosova.tv.

Hungary, an EU and NATO member, has refused to send military assistance to Kiev, or to allow it to cross its territory. However, it has allowed more than half a million Ukrainian refugees to enter its territory.

Orban, a nationalist, has cultivated close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years.

Zelensky used a speech to EU leaders on Thursday to ask Orban to approve the expansion of sanctions, allow weapons to pass to Ukraine and sever business ties with Russia.

“Listen, Viktor, do you know what's going on in Mariupol?

You have to decide who you are with, he said.