Hungarian defence minister claims Ukraine has lost war militarily

Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky has claimed that Ukraine has lost the war from a military perspective, reiterating views he has expressed since last year regarding the war and his government's position.

According to Hungarian news agency Telex.hu, Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted that "as long as open war continues next door, the likelihood of deliberate or accidental escalation is high, which also puts the Hungarian people at risk."

The Hungarian defence minister said that peace can only be achieved through diplomatic means. He claimed that US efforts to establish peace are being undermined by European Union leaders, who are trying to sabotage them and will do everything to ensure the war continues.

"Hungary continues to stand on the side of peace," he added.

Citing his own data, the defence minister further asserted that about 1,000 fighters each day are taken out of action, a quarter of whom are killed in action. Some roads are impassable and the "collapse of Ukrainian agriculture", which was previously harshly criticised by the government, is also having a negative impact on Hungarians.

Szalay-Bobrovniczky also claimed that Ukrainian forces are staffed at 40% strength, while the Russian Armed Forces are at 70%, concluding that "Ukraine has lost this war from a military perspective."

During a meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow on 28 November, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called for a swift end to the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, he indicated that he hopes for favourable and stable oil and gas supplies.

Orbán also claimed that Ukraine's buffer status would ensure peace in the post-war period.