Hungarian FM to attend and speak at Eurasian security conference in Belarus this week
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto is set to speak at the Minsk Conference on Eurasian Security in Belarus on October 31.
Hungary
Orban lauds Georgia's ruling party for not allowing country to become 'second Ukraine'
"I would like to congratulate you on the fact that... you have not allowed your country to be turned into a second Ukraine," Viktor Orban said at a press briefing with his Georgian counterpart, Irakli Kobakhidze.
Germany, France skeptical about bypassing Hungary's veto on EU aid for Ukraine, Bloomberg reports
Germany and France have doubts about the EU diplomatic service's proposal to circumvent Hungary's veto of 6 billion euros ($6.6 billion) in defense assistance for Kyiv, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 25, citing undisclosed sources.
Ukraine hopes Washington will support Kyiv's NATO bid after elections, as opposition in Europe persists
The desire to receive an official invitation to NATO tops President Volodymyr Zelensky's victory plan. While acknowledging that membership itself is a matter for after the war, Zelensky urged allies to send an invitation before U.S. President Joe Biden leaves office in January. The president also said that Ukraine
Orban calls Zelensky's victory plan 'more than terrifying,' urges negotiations with Russia
"What (Zelensky) outlined yesterday in the Ukrainian parliament is more than terrifying," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote, urging EU leaders to start talks with Moscow "as soon as possible."
Hungary wants to increase gas purchases from Russia's Gazprom in 2025
Budapest and Russia's state-owned gas company Gazprom are in talks on additional purchases of gas next year, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an interview with Kremlin-run RIA Novosti published on Oct. 15.
Orban threatens to interfere with Ukraine aid to support Trump, Politico reports
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is preparing to deliver a significant policy concession to former President Donald Trump, potentially allowing him to evade a $50 billion loan intended to support Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.
Poland’s 2025 EU presidency to focus on Ukraine’s integration and EU expansion, Duda says
Polish President Andrzej Duda announced that a key priority of Poland's EU presidency in early 2025 will be the European integration of Ukraine and maintaining an "open door to Europe" policy for new members.
EU officials considering reform to bypass Hungary’s blockade on Ukraine defense funds
A proposed reform of the European Peace Facility (EPF) would make financial contributions voluntary, aiming to bypass Hungary's veto on military aid to Ukraine, which has caused a 6.5 billion euro ($7 billion) backlog.
Hungary's oil company MOL faces delays in project weaning its refineries off Russian crude
According to the new estimates, MOL, which owns refineries in Hungary and Slovakia, will be able to process non-Urals oil by the end of 2026, as opposed to their earlier estimates of early 2026.
EU approves 35-billion-euro loan for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets
European Union countries have approved an unprecedented plan to issue a 35-billion-euro ($37.2 billion) loan to support Ukraine's war-torn economy, using Russia's immobilized Central Bank assets as collateral.
Hungary’s Orban rebuked by EU chief over Russia stance, complains of ‘political propaganda’
"I would have been pleased to debate the presidential program but I see you’re not interested," Viktor Orban said.
Hungary’s Orban says Trump won’t wait until inauguration to ‘manage a peace’ in Ukraine
"We will open several bottles of champagne if Trump is back," Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Oct. 8.
Hungary blocks EU sanctions changes, holding up $50 billion G7 loan package for Ukraine
"We believe that this issue, the prolongation of the Russian sanctions, should be decided after the U.S. elections. We have to see in which direction the future U.S. administration is going with this issue," Hungarian Finance Minister Mihaly Varga said.
Hungarians protest 'ruling party propaganda,' demand more media freedom
The protests, launched outside of the building of the state-owned MTVA media company, were organized by Hungary's leading opposition figure and head of the Tisza party, Peter Magyar.
US Republican delegation visits Hungary, questions Orban's relations with Russia and China
After visiting Hungary from Oct. 3-5, five U.S. Republican senators voiced concerns about Hungary's growing ties with Russia and increasing cooperation with China.
Kyiv, Budapest see 'positive dynamics' on national minorities issue, Ukrainian foreign minister says
Sybiha and Szijjarto held talks in a one-on-one format and discussed "in detail a wide bilateral and international agenda," according to the Ukrainian official.
Ukraine's new FM arrives in Hungary, holds talks with Szijjarto
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto are expected to discuss the development of "good neighborly relations," the implementation of joint projects, including protection of the rights of national minorities, and Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO among other topics.
Top Orban aide sparks outrage by calling Ukraine's resistance to Russia's full-scale invasion 'irresponsible'
A top aide of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticized Ukraine's resistance to Russia's full-scale invasion, calling it "irresponsible" and suggesting his country would have advised against fighting back if it had been asked. Balazs Orban – no relation to the prime minister – made the comments when discussing Hungary's anti-Soviet
EU preparing to raise up to 40 billion euros in loans for Ukraine without US, FT reports
The EU is preparing to gather up to 40 billion euros ($44.5 billion) in loans for Ukraine as Budapest keeps disrupting plans on a joint loan with the U.S., the Financial Times reported on Sept. 16, citing sources and a draft proposal.
Russia's oil sector still has its claws on Hungary
Ukraine placed sanctions on Russia’s Lukoil, blocking the company from transiting oil through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. This move heightened tensions as Hungary accused Ukraine of endangering its energy independence.
Spain blocks Hungary's attempt to buy train company over 'Ukraine concerns,' FT reports
Spain prevented Hungary from buying Talgo, a Madrid-based train manufacturer, due to its potential usefulness for Ukraine's reconstruction, the Financial Times reported on Sept. 12, citing undisclosed officials.
Budapest against 'more weapons in Ukraine,' Hungarian foreign minister says
Hungary does "not want more weapons in Ukraine" and does not want "an escalation of the war," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote on Facebook on Aug. 29 after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Russian oil flow to Hungary, Slovakia stable in July despite Lukoil ban, Bloomberg reports
Russian crude exports to Hungary and Slovakia remained within norms in July as the sanctioned Lukoil oil was offset by supplies from another Russian company, Tatneft, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 27, citing an undisclosed source.
European Commission sees 'no reason to be concerned' about ban on Lukoil's oil supplies to Hungary, Slovakia
In June, Kyiv imposed sanctions blocking Lukoil, one of the largest oil companies in Russia, from transiting crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline running through Ukrainian territory.
Hungary renews calls for 'ceasefire' in response to Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast
Hungary renewed its calls for a "ceasefire" in response to Ukraine's ongoing incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, told reporters on Aug. 22.
Hungary reportedly starts evicting some Ukrainian refugees from shelters based on new law
Budapest passed the decree on Aug. 21, limiting government-subsidized housing only to those Ukrainians who fled the territories directly affected by active hostilities.
Hungary close to finalizing talks on 'balanced' oil supply amid Ukraine's sanctions against Lukoil
Budapest is close to finalizing talks on "balanced" oil supply after Ukraine blocked the transit of Russian oil through the Lukoil pipeline, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Aug. 21 after a government meeting.
Nordic, Baltic countries express concern to EU over Hungary's easing of entry rules for Russians
Hungary's decision to ease entry rules for Russians "may constitute a serious security risk," leaders of Nordic and Baltic countries said in a joint letter to European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on Aug. 16.
Orban’s arguments crumble in Lukoil spat with Ukraine
The Hungarian government’s arguments against Ukraine’s sanctions on Russian oil company Lukoil are falling apart. Hungary accused Ukraine of “blackmail” and endangering its energy security after Ukrainian sanctions blocked Lukoil, Russia’s second-largest oil company, from transiting crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline in June. Hungary and Slovakia
Hungarian CEO confident in country’s oil supply despite Ukraine’s Lukoil transit block
Hungary will not face oil shortages due to Ukraine's decision to block Lukoil PJSC's crude transit, according to Zsolt Hernadi, CEO of Hungarian oil and gas conglomerate MOL Group.
EU should reconsider Hungary's Schengen membership over easing visa rules for Russia, MEPs say
"If the Hungarian government refuses to change its policy, the Commission and all EU representatives should question Hungarian presence in the Schengen by introducing new measures to safeguard European citizens, including new controls at Hungarian borders if necessary," the letter read.
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