The European Commission is investigating allegations of Hungarian espionage against European institutions. An international journalistic investigation uncovered a network of secret agents operating through Hungary's Permanent Representation to the EU.
An investigation by SPIEGEL, De Tijd, and Direkt36 revealed that Hungarian intelligence appears to have been spying on EU institutions in Brussels for years, attempting to recruit European officials. One agent, operating under diplomatic cover, according to the investigation, offered money to a European Commission employee.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that almost all EU countries support Ukraine's accession, but Hungary is blocking it due to internal politics. He named two possible ways to solve the problem: changing the voting rules in the EU or diplomatic pressure on Hungary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused Ukraine of attempting to pressure European states regarding EU accession. He stated that Budapest would not support this decision, citing the results of a referendum.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will be in the European Union, as it is the choice of Ukrainians. He noted that Hungary is slowing down this irreversible process, and Ukraine will appeal to partner countries to change the accession procedure or put pressure on the Hungarian Prime Minister.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha reacted to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's statement about his country's unwillingness to be in integration associations with Ukraine. Sybiha noted that the countries are already members of many international organizations and formats.
The Hungarian parliament plans to extend the state of emergency for another 180 days, until May 13, 2026, due to the war in Ukraine. This decision will grant Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expanded powers.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke out against António Costa's plan to bypass Hungary's veto and accelerate Ukraine's accession to the EU. He also declared the country's dependence on Russian energy, despite US demands.
Parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic will be held on October 3 and 4. Andrej Babiš's ANO party is leading in the polls, ahead of the ruling coalition.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban may find support in his attempts to hinder Ukraine's accession to the EU, particularly from French President Emmanuel Macron. The proposal by European Council President António Costa to change EU accession rules to circumvent Hungary's resistance is meeting opposition from a number of countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Greece.
The European Union is preparing to begin technical work on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova, despite Hungary's ongoing blocking of accession negotiations. The European Commission has proposed adjusting the rules to circumvent Hungary's veto, by starting technical work in several "clusters" even without an official decision.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who questioned Ukraine's sovereignty. Sybiha noted that Ukraine awaits Orban's opinion on sovereignty when he gets rid of his dependence on Russian energy carriers.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claims that Ukraine is not sovereign because it is financed by Western countries. He stated that without Western support, Ukraine would disappear.
Brussels welcomed the plan by European Council President António Costa, which involves bypassing Hungary's veto to advance Ukraine's and Moldova's applications for EU membership. The proposal would allow voting on the opening of negotiation clusters by a qualified majority of member states.
The European Union must radically transform due to Putin's provocations and Trump's semi-detachment. EU countries are looking for ways to counter the Kremlin's aggressive rhetoric.
European Council President António Costa is leading efforts to advance Ukraine's EU membership bid, despite Hungary's resistance. He is trying to garner support from EU capitals for simplifying the accession procedure for new members, proposing to open negotiation clusters with the consent of a qualified majority of EU countries.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop the persecution. This happened after Zelenskyy instructed the military to check for violations of Ukrainian airspace by Hungarian drones.
Negotiation clusters for Ukraine's accession to the EU could start after the parliamentary elections in Hungary in April 2026. Hungary is blocking the opening of the first negotiation cluster, despite Ukraine fulfilling all preconditions.
US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, where he discussed Hungary's consumption of Russian oil. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed that the conversation took place on Wednesday.
European officials fear that US President Donald Trump's new rhetoric on Ukraine is aimed at shifting blame to Europe. Trump is calling on the EU for tougher sanctions against Russia and tariffs on China and India, which Europeans consider unfeasible.
US President Donald Trump intends to talk to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to get Hungary to stop buying Russian oil. Trump believes Orban may agree to this if he discusses the issue with him.
Hungary will not give up Russian oil, citing a lack of infrastructure for alternative supplies. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called Western European officials "fanatics" who criticize Budapest's position.
The European Commission plans to unfreeze approximately €550 million in EU funds for Hungary. This comes amid attempts to overcome Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's veto on imposing additional sanctions against Russia.
Thousands of people protested across Slovakia against the economic and pro-Russian policies of Prime Minister Robert Fico. Rallies took place in 16 cities, including the capital Bratislava, due to Fico's trip to China and meeting with Putin, as well as due to austerity measures.
The European Union is considering imposing sanctions on companies in India and China that facilitate trade in Russian oil as part of a new package of restrictions. The US proposes tariffs of up to 100% for China and India, and will also affect Russian oil companies.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that in Russia's war against Ukraine, in his opinion, there is somehow a "victory for Russia. " The head of the Hungarian government also claims that the European Union, with its policies, is heading towards a state of "disintegration."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that he does not consider himself anti-Ukrainian and seeks a future for Ukraine. He emphasized that the collapse of the neighboring country is not in Budapest's interests.
António Costa stated that Russia's unwillingness to start peace talks indicates its true intentions. He emphasized that Putin deliberately delays any negotiation processes.
Ukrainian specialists are improving armaments, but financial constraints pose serious challenges. President Zelenskyy is working with partners on financing new weapons clusters, including drones and missiles.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine fulfills all EU recommendations, therefore he sees no grounds for claims from Hungary. He is ready for dialogue and a meeting with Prime Minister Orbán to discuss all issues.
