NATO might have averted Ukraine conflict, says member state
Hungary’s foreign minister believes that discussions regarding Russia's security demands to the US and NATO might have averted the conflict in Ukraine. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has suggested that the current crisis between Russia and the West could have been prevented if NATO and the US had engaged in meaningful discussions regarding Moscow’s demand for security guarantees.
In December 2021, prior to Russia's military operation in Ukraine, the country presented a set of security proposals to NATO and the US. These proposals included a call for the bloc to revert its military infrastructure to the boundaries established in 1997.
Central to these proposals was the demand to halt NATO's expansion, particularly in relation to Ukraine, which has long expressed interest in joining the alliance. However, NATO dismissed the proposal, citing its commitment to an “open-door policy” regarding new member states. Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that one of the primary drivers of the conflict is the threat posed by Ukraine's potential membership in NATO.
In a recent interview with RIA Novosti, Szijjarto indicated that Russia's proposals could have provided a foundation for preventing the conflict in Ukraine.
“I remember those times. I think that what was missing there was a serious discussion… I do believe that if someone has an issue… then it should be discussed. And these discussions have not taken place, unfortunately,” he stated.
While Szijjarto recognized that speculating on what might have transpired is now irrelevant, he expressed a desire that “those dialogues had taken place. Because if they had taken place, we might not be in the situation we are right now.”
In May, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Moscow's proposals for security guarantees were off the table, emphasizing that the current focus of Russian diplomacy is on “crisis management and the prevention of... a truly large-scale conflict.”
Szijjarto has been vocal in his criticism of the West's handling of the Ukraine crisis, urging both sides to negotiate a ceasefire and initiate peace talks. He has also condemned Western sanctions on Russia as ineffective and detrimental to the EU economy.
Russia has expressed openness to dialogue regarding Ukraine, with Putin noting in June that Moscow would agree to a ceasefire and peace negotiations if Ukraine withdrew its troops from the Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye Regions and committed to neutrality. However, he later stated that any discussions were off the table as long as Ukrainian forces occupied parts of Russia’s Kursk Region.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
In December 2021, prior to Russia's military operation in Ukraine, the country presented a set of security proposals to NATO and the US. These proposals included a call for the bloc to revert its military infrastructure to the boundaries established in 1997.
Central to these proposals was the demand to halt NATO's expansion, particularly in relation to Ukraine, which has long expressed interest in joining the alliance. However, NATO dismissed the proposal, citing its commitment to an “open-door policy” regarding new member states. Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that one of the primary drivers of the conflict is the threat posed by Ukraine's potential membership in NATO.
In a recent interview with RIA Novosti, Szijjarto indicated that Russia's proposals could have provided a foundation for preventing the conflict in Ukraine.
“I remember those times. I think that what was missing there was a serious discussion… I do believe that if someone has an issue… then it should be discussed. And these discussions have not taken place, unfortunately,” he stated.
While Szijjarto recognized that speculating on what might have transpired is now irrelevant, he expressed a desire that “those dialogues had taken place. Because if they had taken place, we might not be in the situation we are right now.”
In May, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Moscow's proposals for security guarantees were off the table, emphasizing that the current focus of Russian diplomacy is on “crisis management and the prevention of... a truly large-scale conflict.”
Szijjarto has been vocal in his criticism of the West's handling of the Ukraine crisis, urging both sides to negotiate a ceasefire and initiate peace talks. He has also condemned Western sanctions on Russia as ineffective and detrimental to the EU economy.
Russia has expressed openness to dialogue regarding Ukraine, with Putin noting in June that Moscow would agree to a ceasefire and peace negotiations if Ukraine withdrew its troops from the Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye Regions and committed to neutrality. However, he later stated that any discussions were off the table as long as Ukrainian forces occupied parts of Russia’s Kursk Region.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
