Hungary’s foreign minister has refused to join a Czech-led initiative to raise funds to send ammunition for Ukraine. 

“Hungary has not and will not deliver any weapons to Ukraine –  we don’t take part in any common actions which end up in joint weapon deliveries,” Peter Szijjarto said.

Hungary is among the most supportive European nations of Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia, consistently opposing sanctions and frustrating the European Union and NATO over aid for Ukraine and accession of Kyiv and other neighbours to the alliance. 

Budapest eventually bowed to pressure from European allies to allow an EU package to be sent to Ukraine last month. 

It is thought that Hungary will seek to frustrate an EU Commission  proposal which would see profits from frozen Russian assets sent to Kyiv.

‘Situation unstable’ in frontline areas, UK MoD says

The British Ministry of Defence says the frontline situation in areas like Donetsk is unstable due to Ukrainian ammunition and personnel shortages.

It noted Russian attacks near key villages west of Avdiivka, including Tonenke, which Russia has claimed to have seized (see 10.29am post). 

However, the MoD said Russian progress was slow, “likely partially due to the heavy losses sustained in the Avdiivka campaign”. 

Despite this, “the situation remains unstable”, it said, adding that “Ukrainian shortages of personnel and munitions likely limiting their ability to hold positions”.