Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's political director called Ukraine's decision to defend itself militarily "irresponsible."

Speaking to state radio, Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán sought to downplay the remarks by his political director which had led to calls for that official’s resignation.

If it were in Ukraine's shoes, Budapest wouldn't have fought the Russians, said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's top aide. Balázs Orbán, the political director of his namesake (but no relation to him), was a guest on a podcast on Wednesday where he talked about Ukraine's self-defense against Russian aggression.

Speaking to state radio, Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán sought to downplay the remarks by his political director which had led to calls for that official’s resignation.

Balázs Orbán, who is not related to the prime minister, said Hungary had learned from its 1956 uprising, which was crushed by the Red Army.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban distanced himself from a top adviser who asserted that Hungary would have surrendered to invading Russian troops if it were in Ukraine’s position two years ago. Most Read from BloombergVanderbilt Leases Struggling NYC Seminary for Campus ExpansionNJ Transit,

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the statement made by his chief aide, who claimed that Hungary would have benefited more if it had not resisted the Soviet invasion in 1956, Reuters reports.

Hungary always has and always will defend itself against foreign attacks, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday after one of his closest aides provoked controversy by suggesting that Hungary wouldn’t have fought against a Russian invasion as Ukraine has done.