Viktor Orbán
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Pope Leo XIV and asked him to support Hungary's anti-war efforts. Orban will also discuss with Trump the impact of US sanctions against Russian oil companies.
Czech President Petr Pavel has tasked Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO movement, with forming a government. Babiš has almost reached an agreement on a common platform with right-wing parties in the Czech Republic.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and US President Donald Trump will meet next week to discuss the impact of American sanctions against Russian oil companies. Hungary is assessing the legal and physical impact of the new restrictions imposed by the Trump administration.
Oil prices rose by 7% over the week after the US imposed sanctions against Russian oil companies, raising fears of supply disruptions. Brent and WTI quotes increased, demonstrating a shift in market sentiment from anticipating a surplus to a deficit.
Serbia's only oil refinery, located in the city of Pančevo, could cease operations due to US sanctions against Russian companies Lukoil and Rosneft. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić warned that without supplies, the refinery would be unable to operate after November 1, although fuel storage facilities are filled until the end of the year.
The leadership of the Netherlands and Romania believe that Lukoil will sell its plants located in the territories of these countries.
On October 23, 2025, Hungary marks the 69th anniversary of the suppression of the revolution by Soviet troops. The Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Hero of Ukraine Robert Brovdi, addressed the people of his "historical homeland" with a speech about the past and present.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed that preparations for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in Budapest are underway. The meeting was postponed due to Moscow's refusal to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, but a date has not yet been set.
The summit between the US and Russian presidents in Hungary has been postponed, as Moscow refused to consider terms for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. The American side concluded that there was no chance of a real agreement in Budapest.
The meeting between the US Secretary of State and the Russian Foreign Minister was scheduled for October 30 in Budapest. This meeting was supposed to precede a possible US-Russia summit.
The Hungarian parliament extended the state of emergency for 180 days, until May 14, ensuring that the upcoming elections will be held under a special legal regime. This grants Prime Minister Viktor Orbán broad powers, while his Fidesz party lags behind the opposition Tisza in polls.
Poland has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of possible arrest if he crosses its airspace for a summit in Hungary with Donald Trump.
Ukraine's allies are seeking to strengthen its position ahead of Trump-Putin talks, fearing a bad deal. They are preparing a support package that includes funding, weapons, and new sanctions against Russia, and plan to involve Zelenskyy in any negotiations.
The President of Ukraine stated that his American counterpart seeks an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war, and Trump's message to stop at the line of contact is, in the opinion of the head of state, positive. At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not consider Budapest the best platform for US-Russia negotiations.
The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees received thousands of reports about refugees from Ukraine who needed an interpreter from Hungarian. A check revealed that 568 people had dual citizenship, which deprives them of the right to temporary protection and financial assistance in Germany.
Air Live has shown the alleged route of Vladimir Putin's plane to Budapest, where a summit with Donald Trump is planned. The 5000 km route will pass through the Caspian Sea, Iran, Turkey, the Mediterranean Sea, Montenegro, Serbia, and Hungary, which will increase the flight time by 3 hours.
The German Foreign Ministry stated that Hungary must execute the ICC arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. This decision will only come into force in April 2026, despite Hungary's announcement of withdrawal from the court's jurisdiction.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the start of preparations for a summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest. He held talks with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The Ukrainian delegation visited Washington to discuss the purchase of American weapons, including Tomahawk missiles. This indicates a change in the approach to ending the war, where the emphasis is on strengthening combat power.
US President Donald Trump praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, calling him a "fantastic" and "great leader. " Trump also mentioned his support for Orban in the last election, where he won by a 28-point margin.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced the launch of a signature campaign against "Brussels' war plans," citing a plan presented in Denmark to counter Russia, which, according to the head of the European country's government, leads to escalation.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhyi, stated that Hungary's accusations against Ukraine are becoming absurd. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Ukraine of helping the opposition party "Tisza" and pressuring European states regarding EU membership.
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.