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EU decides to carry out training mission for Ukraine, Hungary not to take part — statement

Peter Szijjarto also noted that Hungary will bear no expenses connected to this training mission for the Ukrainian military

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto Russian Foreign Ministry/TASS

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto

© Russian Foreign Ministry/TASS

BUDAPEST, October 17. /TASS/. EU foreign ministers made a decision during the meeting in Luxembourg to carry out a training mission for Ukrainian servicemen, but Hungary does not consider it a good idea and will not take part in it, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said during a press conference, streamed by the Hungarian TV.

"A decision was made today that the EU will carry out a training mission for soldier of Ukrainian army," Szijjarto said, adding that Hungary did not support this decision.

"Speaking constructively, Hungary does not consider itself bound by this decision, which is allowed under EU law. We will not participate in this training mission, and we will not send any instructors for it," the top diplomat said.

"We do not consider it a good idea or anything that does not lead to an escalation" of the Ukrainian conflict, Szijjarto said. Therefore, he explained, Hungary "did not agree to establish this training mission."

The Minister also noted that Hungary will bear no expenses connected to this training mission for the Ukrainian military.

Meanwhile, he reaffirmed the position of the Hungarian government, which intends not to allow the country to be pulled into the Ukrainian conflict.

"Our goal is to ensure the security of the Hungarian people and Hungary itself," Szijjarto said.

He also spoke in favor of preservation of communications channels with Russia and settlement of the Ukrainian conflict via negotiations.

"If we shut down communications channels with Russia, then we will lose even a hope for peace," the top diplomat underscored.

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