Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Monday took a dig at Hungary, calling on the country – which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Council – to uphold the principle of the inviolability of territory in all cases.

Cyprus’ chief diplomat made the remarks on arriving at the EU Foreign Affairs Council being held in Brussels. The meeting will discuss the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Regarding Nicosia’s position, Kombos said that “we shall reaffirm our full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine” according to international law and EU values.

“All the more so, as the Republic of Cyprus is itself a victim of aggression,” he added.

“At this difficult time, just two days after the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion, we remain fully committed to ensuring that we do not compromise with the aggressor, we do not appease the aggressor nor the results of aggression.”

Based on this, Kombos went on, EU members “expect the same from the country holding the presidency of the Council”,

He was evidently alluding to Hungary, though he did not name the country.

Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has faced a great deal of criticism from the EU for his trip to Moscow some two weeks ago.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen later referred to Orban’s visit to Russia as “an appeasement mission”.

“Russia is banking on Europe and the West going soft and some in Europe are playing along,” von der Leyen said. “Europe will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”