Hungarian PM Viktor Orban rejects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeal over 'national interests'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dismissed Friday an EU summit appeal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for weapons and tougher sanctions against Russia as it would be "against Hungary's interests".

The nationalist premier "rejected (Zelensky's) demands at the European Council because they are contrary to the interests of Hungary," said Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began last month, EU and NATO member Hungary, while letting in over half a million Ukrainian refugees, has refused to send military aid to Kyiv, or let it cross its territory.

A significant ethnic-Hungarian minority in Ukraine's westernmost region of Transcarpathia would be threatened if Hungary sent weapons to Kyiv, Orban has insisted.

Hungary's dependency on Russian gas and oil also means it cannot support an import ban according to Orban who has cultivated close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years.