Hungary opposes any NATO no-fly zone over Ukraine

BUDAPEST, Hungary

Hungary does not support proposals for a NATO no-fly zone over Ukraine, said the nation’s prime minister on Monday.

Some NATO member countries are again proposing such a plan, but it would be dangerous, warned Viktor Orban.

He said NATO is a defense alliance whose members have the power, ability, and even responsibility to protect each other, but it is not NATO's job to engage in military action outside NATO territory.

Ukraine is not a member of the NATO alliance.

Saying that Hungary does not want to send soldiers or weapons outside of NATO, Orban stressed that they are also against possible natural gas and oil sanctions against Russia.

NATO member the US has consistently opposed proposals for a Ukrainian no-fly zone, saying enforcing it could bring US and Russian fighter jets into direct conflict, risking a new world war.

Russia's war against Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has been roundly denounced by the international community, and has been met with biting Western and allied sanctions and export controls. The economic fallout has been exacerbated by an exodus of global firms from Russia.

At least 925 civilians have been killed during the war, and 1,496 have been injured, according to the UN's tally. The international body warns, however, that the true toll is "considerably higher.”