Hungary's Orban urges EU to lift Russia sanctions, media reports
Viktor Orban also described the European Union as being in a "drunken stage" but predicted a "sobering up" in Brussels.
Hungary
Hungary's FM condemns Ukraine’s bill to suspend Russian energy transit, says his country will block Kyiv's EU accession
Ukraine had already decided not to renew its gas transit deal with Russia beyond Dec. 31, 2024, but continues to allow Russian oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline under a contract valid until the end of 2029.
US sanctions Orban ally Antal Rogan for corruption, abuse of power
Antal Rogan is the first high-ranking Hungarian official sanctioned by the U.S. under the Magnitsky Act, which targets individuals involved in serious human rights abuses and corruption.
Hungary's FM criticizes Ukraine for gas transit halt, claims 20% rise in gas prices
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused Ukraine of exacerbating Europe's economic challenges by halting Russian gas transit, leading to a 20% rise in natural gas prices on the European market.
Citing Orban’s 'corruption,' Hungarian opposition leader calls for early elections in video address
Peter Magyar accused Prime Minister Viktor Orban of turning Hungary into "the EU's poorest, most corrupt nation."
Hungary loses out on about $1 billion in EU aid
The aid package was conditional on Hungary implementing reforms to bring the country into compliance with EU standards by the end of 2024. Budapest failed to meet the requirements, a European Commission spokesperson said.
3 European leaders, Pope Francis receive New Year telegrams from Putin
While most European countries remain on frosty terms with Russia since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a handful have retained varying degrees of positive diplomatic relations.
Polish PM Tusk slams Hungary’s Orban for praising Putin amid Ukraine attacks
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for calling Vladimir Putin Hungary's “honest partner” during Russia’s massive missile attacks on Ukraine on Christmas Day, according to a Dec. 26 statement on X.
Orban says Hungary proposing ‘trick’ to keep Russian gas shipments via Ukraine
Ukraine has said it will not extend the transit agreement for Russian gas through its territory, set to expire on Dec. 31.
Orban to reportedly block EU's Russia sanctions extension until Trump takes office
Orban "surprised" his fellow EU leaders by deciding to block the extension during a summit in Brussels on Dec. 19 in what is considered a "routine" step, Bloomberg wrote.
Ukraine condemns Hungary’s ‘peacekeeping’ proposals, calls them manipulative
Hungary, which maintains close ties with Moscow despite Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has consistently criticized EU sanctions against Russia and blocked initiatives to provide military aid to Kyiv.
Zelensky rejected opportunity to discuss Christmas truce with Orban, Hungarian minister claims
Hungary has maintained close economic and diplomatic relations with Moscow despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It has repeatedly criticized EU sanctions against Russia and obstructed efforts to provide military aid to Kyiv.
Ukraine war latest: Trump hints he won't 'abandon' Kyiv but opposes Ukraine launching US missiles inside Russia
Key developments on Dec. 12: * Trump hints he won't 'abandon' Kyiv but opposes Ukraine launching US missiles inside Russia * Drones attack Chechnya, hitting police building, Kadyrov claims * Poland 'dismisses speculation' on peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, PM says * US House passes 2025 defense spending bill without Ukraine lend-lease extension * Hungary did
Hungary did not discuss any Christmas truce, prisoner swap with Ukraine, Presidential Office says
The Hungarian side "did not discuss anything" with Ukraine and "did not warn about its contacts with Moscow," said Dmytro Lytvyn, the presidential communications adviser, referring to Viktor Orban’s recent phone call with Vladimir Putin.
Updated: Hungary's Orban calls Putin to discuss Ukraine
The Hungarian government has not yet commented on the call, which appears to have taken place after Orban's visit to Trump's Florida residence.
Hungary vows to block potential EU sanctions on Georgia over protest crackdowns
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has pledged to veto a proposal to impose EU sanctions on Georgian officials for their crackdown on anti-government protests, the First Channel of Georgia reported on Dec. 10.
44% of Ukrainians trust Trump, more than elsewhere in Europe, survey suggests
Some 44.6% of Ukrainians trust U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, roughly 10 points less than incumbent President Joe Biden, a survey by New Europe Center published on Dec. 10 showed.
Hungary's PM Orban meets with Trump, Musk, says 'future has begun'
"The future has begun — an afternoon in Mar-a-Lago," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
Hungary requests US sanctions exemption for Russian natural gas payments
Hungary has requested the United States to provide the country with a sanctions waiver to further continue payments for Russian natural gas imports through Gazprombank, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Dec. 4.
As NATO ministers meet, some members continue to oppose membership invitation for Ukraine
An undisclosed NATO source told the Ukrainian Suspilne outlet that the U.S. and Germany continue to oppose inviting Ukraine at the moment.
Szijjarto meets Lavrov in Moscow, calls on Ukraine, Russia to sit down at 'negotiating table'
"The past thousand days have proven conclusively that the war in Ukraine cannot be resolved on the battlefield, and therefore the solution must be sought at the negotiating table," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.
Trump has consulted Hungary's Orban on Ukraine war, sources tell RFE/RL
Hungarian government sources said that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump sought Viktor Orban’s opinion on strategies to end the Ukraine war. Orban, known for his close ties with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump, has openly criticized EU aid for Ukraine and obstructed sanctions against Moscow.
Hungary criticizes US sanctions on Gazprombank as 'threat to energy security', Bloomberg reports
Hungary criticized U.S. sanctions on Gazprombank, stating that they pose a threat to the energy security of Central European countries, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in a statement on Nov. 22.
Ukraine war latest: Russia launched new 'Oreshnik' intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine, Putin claims
Key developments on Nov. 21: * Russia used new 'Oreshnik' intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine, Putin says * Ukrainian UAVs reportedly strike Russian border regions, industrial facility hit * Hungary deploys air defenses near Ukraine, cites war escalation after US allows strikes in Russia * Russian troops suspected of executing Ukrainian POWs in Kursk
Hungary deploys air defenses near Ukraine, cites war escalation after US allows strikes in Russia
Hungarian Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky ordered the deployment of air defense systems in the country's northeastern regions, saying that "the war has entered its most dangerous phase."
Polish FM criticizes Hungary for supporting Russian aggression
"I would like to understand the reasons why Hungary does not want to help Ukraine, which is fighting for freedom, and wants to assist the aggressor in this conflict," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told reporters on Nov. 18.
Orban's hold on Hungary weakens as opposition unites behind unlikely challenger
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Nov. 7, looked confident. Budapest was hosting the European Political Community gathering, with Orban hugging it out with the continent's leaders whose standing at home leaves them little leeway to challenge the Russian-friendly prime minister. Orban's standing at home, practically unchallenged since 2010, has
Peace cannot be bought by weakness, Zelensky says at Budapest summit
"Peace is a reward only for the strong," President Zelensky said.
Zelensky arrives in Hungary for European Political Community Summit
The fifth meeting of the European Political Community will focus on Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing escalation in the Middle East, among other things.
Zelensky to visit Hungary for European Political Community Summit
"We will discuss security challenges in Europe, as well as new opportunities for all partners," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Orban congratulates Trump on victory, calls it biggest comeback in US political history
"The biggest comeback in U.S. political history! Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his enormous win. A much needed victory for the World!" Viktor Orban posted.
If Trump wins US presidential election, Europe 'cannot remain pro-war,' Orban says
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a radio interview on Nov. 3, as cited by Hungarian news outlet Telex, that if Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidency, "Europe cannot remain pro-war," supposedly referring to EU's defense assistance to Ukraine, which Orban has repeatedly criticized.
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