We must protect Hungary’s national interests and we must stand our ground in the next two days in Brussels, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban said in a video message sent to Hungary’s state news agency (MTI).

We must avoid being dragged into a military conflict, Hungary’s prime minister said, adding that we must say “no” to proposals that would lead to aerial warfare with Russia. We must block proposals that seek to extend sanctions – imposed in response to Russia’s aggression – to the energy sector, which would put Hungary in a difficult, or perhaps even impossible situation, Orban stressed.

He said there are only 11 days left until Hungary’s parliamentary elections, which is “not only important, but decisive for us all.” We must defend all that Hungary has managed to achieve in the last 12 years. In these times we should concentrate all our efforts on the elections, yet “we must go to Brussels for two days to attend the NATO-EU summit that will feature proposals against which we have to protect Hungary’s interests,” Orban said.

Despite the campaign, we must stand our ground in Brussels in the next two days, Hungary’s prime minister said.