'With due respect to the Ambassador, we will not change our position, we are on the side of peace' – Hollik

It is perfectly clear that the reason for the American pressure is the war (in Ukraine – TN) and our position on this issue, Fidesz's Communications Director said in an interview with Hír TV on Wednesday evening, reacting to the announcement of the US government and its ambassador in Budapest.

David Pressman announced on Wednesday afternoon that sanctions had been imposed on several individuals and institutions by the United States, and that while these sanctions are related to Russia, Hungary is affected because the Budapest-based International Investment Bank and its executives are among those sanctioned.

István Hollik commented that Hungary is part of alliances where our allies have a position that differs from ours.

"With all due respect to the United States, we accept that they have a pro-war position, although they are separated from it by an ocean, but we ask them to accept that Hungary is on the side of peace. (...) If our American friends can accept that we are not on the side of war, then I think we can cooperate."

- the government politician said. According to István Hollik, the anti-Russian poster campaign financed by the US embassy and the press conference on Wednesday were both aimed at exerting pressure, which is why he considers it a sufficient reaction to say that:

"with due respect to the Ambassador, we will not change our position, we remain on the side of peace".

Hollik added that Viktor Orbán has been in power for 12 years, and the Americans should have learned by now that they can achieve nothing by exerting pressure like this.

The Communications Director did not respond to the American concerns any further, but he did talk at length about the objectionable participation of Márton Gyöngyösi, the current chairman of the far-right Jobbik, who had previously spoken about listing the Jews, at Pressman's Seder dinner.