Hungarian President Andras Baka warned Thursday that the UN faces a "crisis of trust," saying the organization too often fails to act when powerful countries and their allies violate international rules.
Baka told the UN General Assembly that "no country should be above the law" and rejected applying different standards depending on the country involved.
"We cannot have one rule for our friends and another for others," he said.
"But the answer is not to turn away from the United Nations. We need it, and we need it to work," he added, saying the organization must be able to act, treat members fairly and apply the same principles to everyone.
Turning to Ukraine, Baka condemned Russia's war as a violation of the UN Charter and international law, and reaffirmed Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
He said diplomacy should end the fighting, but stressed that any lasting peace must respect Ukraine's sovereignty.
"If taking territory by force becomes an accepted way of settling disputes, every smaller country will have reasons to worry about its own future," he warned.
On the Middle East, the president urged full respect for international humanitarian law and for humanitarian assistance to reach those in need "safely and without interruption," referring to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
"Israelis and Palestinians must be able to live in security and dignity," he said, as he urged a lasting peace.
On migration, Baka said Hungary would fight irregular migration and criminal networks profiting from it, while respecting human dignity and refugee protections, and support development that gives people opportunities to build their futures.