Contents tagged with Hungary

  • Hungarian government faces backlash over controversial Facebook post on Ukraine's EU aspirations

    A recent post on the Hungarian government's official Facebook page stirred up controversy after declaring that keeping Ukraine alive "should not happen". However, it was soon taken down, reports Magyar Hang.

    During a speech at the opening of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's image and excerpts from his speech were shared in a post by the government. "The European Union wants to keep Ukraine alive, it will fund the million-strong Ukrainian army, and …

  • Orban vetoes EU's Ukraine support statement amid tensions over peace deal

    Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban has blocked the conclusions of the European Council summit regarding support for Ukraine and the establishment of a fair peace agreement, which includes reliable security guarantees for Ukraine.

    Hungary's position left the communiqué out of the official summit conclusions, even though 26 of the 27 European Union member states backed the conclusions at the March 6 meeting, reports Suspilne.

    Slovakia voted in favor after an agreement to address the "need to …

  • Hungarian Foreign Minister accuses Europe of undermining Trump's peace plan in Ukraine conflict

    In a statement issued following a crucial meeting in Washington, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó raised concerns with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Europe's strategic stance on the war in Ukraine, reported the Hungarian news outlet Telex.

    Following their talks, Szijjártó commended the U.S. administration for its steadfast position amidst "conflicts and challenges" to prevent the continuation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

    Szijjártó revealed that Rubio …

  • Orban’s son-in-law considers buying Raiffeisen's Russian arm amid controversial talks

    In a potential shake-up in the banking world, Hungarian millionaire Istvan Tiborcz might be setting his sights on acquiring the Russian division of Austrian banking group Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI), reports the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, citing unnamed sources.

    While Der Standard refers to the rumors as "wild whispers from banking circles," they acknowledge the presence of "serious negotiations" between RBI and Tiborcz. Representatives from the Russian Central Bank and the …

  • Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán faces backlash for calling Putin a 'fair partner'

    In a recent interview with journalists, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sparked controversy by referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "fair partner." This statement, according to Magyar Nemzet, highlights Orbán’s pride in maintaining a friendship with a leader who has faced global condemnation for waging wars against neighboring countries, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. Orbán openly embraces his alliance with Putin, emphasizing the benefits …

  • Hungary's 'Christmas Ceasefire' plan rejected by Ukraine amid tensions Over Orban's Kremlin ties

    Ukraine has firmly rejected Hungary's proposal to organize a phone call between Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Budapest initiative, put forward after Orban's conversations with Putin, aimed at achieving a "Christmas ceasefire" and "mass prisoner exchange," was met with skepticism in Kyiv.

    Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Ukraine "in an unprecedented diplomatic gesture" firmly but politely declined the call. However, analysts note that …

  • Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó: prospects of peace in Ukraine grow with Trump’s election victory

    Amidst the political whirlwind following the U.S. presidential election, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó claims the prospect of ending the Russia-Ukraine war is closer than ever, with Republican Donald Trump's victory.

    The Hungarian news outlet reports Hírad that Szijjártó suggests that Trump's Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, had favored the war's continuation, contrasting with Trump's intent to swiftly end the invasion. "We are doing everything possible to make Donald Trump's …

  • U.S. Intelligence alerts Hungary of possible armed threat on 1956 Uprising anniversary

    U.S. intelligence has reportedly alerted Hungarian authorities about a potential armed action planned for October 23rd, a date marked by the beginning of Hungary's uprising against Soviet forces in 1956, reported the Hungarian news outlet Telex.

    The report notes that the U.S. passed on information to Hungary regarding the potential threat approximately two weeks ago.

    According to the U.S., certain individuals may be preparing for an armed attack on the anniversary of the 1956 events.

    While …

  • EU seeks to overcome Hungary's veto and secure military aid for Ukraine by November

    EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrel, expressed optimism that member states could approve his proposal to allocate over six billion euros from the European Peace Facility for Kyiv's military needs by November, circumventing Hungary's veto.

    "We need to reach a consensus that unlocks both the European Peace Facility and the Ukraine Support Fund. While I can't guarantee 100 percent success now, I believe all countries will eventually agree," Borrell stated during a press …

  • Hungary seeks new routes for Russian oil imports amid Ukrainian sanctions on Lukoil

    Hungarian oil and gas company Mol has proposed a new scheme to transit Russian oil through Ukraine, under which Mol would take on responsibility for the supplies, according to the Russian news agency RBC. As Gergely Gulyás, Chief of Staff for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, told reporters, Mol is currently in discussions regarding this arrangement. Gulyás noted that while the new scheme would be more expensive and risky, it is part of Mol's efforts to find alternative solutions, as …