BELGRADE, Serbia

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban categorically rejected sending soldiers to Ukraine if NATO intervened in the conflict with Russia, saying it would be unfavorable to the country’s national interests.

"The Ukrainians think that the more countries they involve in the war against the Russians, the more chances they have of winning, that's why they are looking for the involvement of the European Union, even the whole world, in the war. From the Ukrainian point of view, the escalation of the war is logical.

"The Ukrainians believe that the more countries they involve in the war against the Russians, the better their chances of victory and that is why they want the European Union, if not the entire world, to participate in the conflict. From the Ukrainian perspective, the war's escalation is logical.

“We Hungarians, however, understand that we have to stay out of the conflict because it would be detrimental to Hungarian national interests," Orban told reporters in Budapest.

Regarding his opposition to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is expected to succeed incumbent NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg after his third term in office ends in October this year, Orban said Hungary cannot support him due to his reputation in the country.

Hungary has two issues with Rutte, one of which is a matter of honor and the other a military policy demand, he explained.

"As far as honor is concerned, there is no Western politician with a worse reputation in Hungary than Mr Rutte," Orban said, recalling the Dutch prime minister's statement in which he said Hungarians should be excluded from the European Union and later added that Hungary should be reduced to its knees.

"It is not only Hungary that opposes Rutte's candidacy, as there is one country that not only opposes Rutte, but has nominated its own candidate, and that is Romania," he said.

Regarding the military policy demand, Orban said Hungary cannot support a NATO secretary-general who believes that all NATO member states must commit to participating in military operations outside of the alliance's territory.

"We would like to conclude an agreement with the future secretary-general that would not push Hungary to participate in NATO military operations against the Russians in Ukraine, despite being a NATO member," he said.

Earlier, the Hungarian prime minister said Western leaders are locked in an unwinnable war and will eventually have to accept that there is no military solution between Russia and Ukraine.