Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said chiefs of staff of the Hungarian military "have a corporate ethos to avoid party politics and to be loyal to the Hungarian government at all times."

Asked about a Monday statement by former commanders and chiefs of staff, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the contribution to political events by former army officials could divide the military, and he expressed disapproval of such activities.

The minister said that a former chief of staff who entered the political arena could compromise unity within the military and "create uncertainty", which he said was "extremely dangerous in war times".

Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky noted that he had worked together with Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, a former chief of staff, who recently addressed a rally organised by the opposition Tisza Party. The minister said he had previously initiated Ruszin-Szendi's dismissal "after a short period of co-working" because he thought the chief of staff "could not take the military to a higher level of combat capabilities as required in the interest of the Hungarian people."

The minister said Ruszin-Szendi had "chosen the wrong role" and "he keeps on talking". He also suggested that Ruszin-Szendi, when still in office, had engaged in talks with Ukraine's defense minister and other Ukrainian officials without appropriate authorisation.

"A high-level military leader has huge powers and ... could create situations in which politicians are forced to react," Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky said, adding that "anyone acting like that is obviously unfit for their position."