Hungary Defense Minister Ruszin‑Szendi Says Hungary Will Close Door on Russia and Boost NATO Ties

At the Budapest Energy and Security Talks, Hungary’s new defence minister Romulusz Ruszin‑Szendi announced a decisive policy shift. He declared that Hungary will “close the door in front of the Russians” and block any further Russian intelligence activity, signalling a break from the previous government’s pro‑Russian stance.

The minister said the country must rebuild trust with its NATO allies, apologising to partners such as Finland for past delays in NATO accession. He reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to NATO’s defence‑spending target, pledging to reach 5 % of GDP by 2035, while noting that current economic hardships require prioritising education and health spending.

Ruszin‑Szendi also outlined plans to modernise the Hungarian defence industry, seeking partnerships with European arms firms and moving production to Hungary. The statements reflect the new administration of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, which is positioning Hungary on a more pro‑European, pro‑NATO course after years of isolation under Viktor Orbán.