Hungary seeks "equal, transparent" Russia relations while prioritizing EU trust

The nominee for foreign minister Anita Orban told a separate committee that Hungary wanted to have an equal and transparent relationship with Russia, Reuters reports.

"Russia will remain a partner but the relationship cannot be based on a one-sided dependency," she said. "In the current geopolitical situation it is clear that ⁠Russia's policies are posing a security challenge to Hungary and Europe."

She said her first task would be to rebuild trust in Hungary which was eroded under the previous government.

Under Orban, Hungary was in almost constant conflict with the EU over issues ranging from the rule of ⁠law to minority rights. Budapest's continued close ties to Moscow despite Russia's war in Ukraine combined with its decision to block funds for Kyiv strained relations even further.

"Laws need to be passed that will ensure that Hungary's judiciary is independent, that ⁠public tenders are transparent, that corruption can be fought, wealth declarations can be checked and the use of European Union funds can be tracked," Orban said.

She stressed that Hungary would not send soldiers or weapons to Ukraine.

By Vafa Guliyeva