HUNGARY RESPONDS TO DEVELOPING A UNIFIED ALLIANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000910

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE MICHELLE LABONTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2022
TAGS: KCFE NATO PARM PREL HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY RESPONDS TO DEVELOPING A UNIFIED ALLIANCE
RESPONSE TO RUSSIA'S CFE CONCERNS

REF: SECSTATE 75293

Classified By: POL/ECON-C Eric V. Gaudiosi. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche points to MFA
Security and Non-proliferation Department head Gyorgy Molnar,
department deputy Vilmos Hamikus and department NATO expert
Gabor Marosfi on June 4. According to Molnar, Hungary agrees
with our positions noting that Russia withdrawing from the
CFE Treaty would be "bad for Europe; bad for NATO; and
ultimately bad for Russia." Hungary sees the main players on
this issue as the U.S., Germany, France and Russia, who "are
the only ones that can influence the final outcome." Molnar
emphasized the need to preserve the treaty by "settling this
issue before the June 12 meeting." Failing to reach a
settlement, according to Molnar, will likely cause "a rift in
NATO on this issue that will require a compromise on a new
agreement." Should that happen, "Hungary will assess its
options at that time." Hungary will not engage directly or
publicly on this issue.


2. (C) Mr. Molnar confirmed that the MFA has been closely
monitoring this issue since the Oslo meeting in April. He
said that at the Oslo meeting, German FM Steinmeir called for
a compromise with Russia regarding their CFE claims. Hungary
did not (and does not) agree with the German position, but
believes that Germany, together with France, will push for
accepting Russia's stance as laid out in the Russia's reftel
note verbale. Mr. Hamikus acknowledged that Hungary is "well
aware of Russia's history regarding threats to withdraw from
the CFE" and sees their latest actions as likely a posturing
tactic. He said that even though they are named directly in
the note verbale "Hungary is not a primary player on this
issue and will remain below the radar."

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COMMENTS: WITH US IN SPIRIT
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3. (C) Though the GoH is in complete agreement with our
positions regarding the CFE Treaty, currently they have no
desire to oppose Russia publicly. Mr. Molnar was clear that
the GoH will support the U.S. position as "the main players
seek a quiet resolution." If however Russia withdraws from
the Treaty, necessitating a new agreement, the GoH will
review its position at that time.
FOLEY