President Putin affirms that he will not allow bad guys to shake the situation in the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: AP

“Today we will address these… issues related to ensuring Russia’s security, in this case, its internal political security, taking into account the attempts that bad actors are still carrying out and intensifying to shake up the situation inside the Russian Federation. You and I must do everything to ensure that under no circumstances will they be allowed to carry out these actions,” the Russian President said.

In another related development, on the same day, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban pledged not to "fight" with Russia or let Hungary be drawn into the Ukrainian conflict as long as his government remains in office. Mr. Orban explained that Budapest sees the ongoing hostilities between Moscow and Kiev as an "imminent" "external threat." Prime Minister Orban stressed: "We are not at war, Hungary has not declared war on Russia, and it will not happen as long as this government exists, definitely not." The Hungarian leader also criticized the continued belligerent statements made by "left-wing politicians" who claim that their country has "entered war" with Russia.

Unlike other NATO and EU member states, Hungary has taken a neutral stance on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Budapest has refused to provide any military aid to Kiev and has even banned the transfer of weapons to Ukraine from third parties through its territory. Hungary has also opposed EU sanctions against Russia, especially those that harm its own vital interests, namely restrictions on conventional and nuclear energy. Budapest has repeatedly argued that these restrictions do not meet their stated objectives and are hurting the EU more than Russia. At the same time, Budapest has provided humanitarian aid to Ukrainian civilians affected by the crisis. Hungary has also repeatedly called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict./.