Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on the EU to take action regarding forced mobilization in Ukraine after the death of Hungarian-Ukrainian citizen Jozsef Sebestyen. Hungary claims that the man died due to beatings at the military enlistment office, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called Budapest's statements manipulative.

As of early 2025, the EU population exceeded 450 million, an increase of 1. 07 million over the year. The growth is driven by migration after the COVID-19 pandemic, although the overall growth rate is slowing down.

Pannonhalma Archabbey in Hungary is urgently evacuating 100,000 books, including 13th-century manuscripts, due to an invasion of drugstore beetles. To destroy the pests, the books are placed in sealed bags with nitrogen for six weeks.

Hungarian volunteer Ásér Benjámin, born in 2004, died during a combat mission in Ukraine. His father, Ásér Natan, who lives in Canada, wishes to bury his son in Kyiv or Toronto, as he himself cannot return to Hungary.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called Budapest's statements regarding the death of a conscript of Hungarian origin in Zakarpattia manipulative. The Ground Forces are ready for a transparent investigation of the circumstances of the case, emphasizing that mobilization is taking place due to Russia's aggression.

In June 2025, solar energy accounted for 22. 1% of the EU's total electricity, surpassing nuclear energy and fossil fuels. The Netherlands and Greece became record-breakers, while dependence on coal sharply decreased.

President Zelenskyy met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. The parties discussed Ukraine's European integration and the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, as well as a new support package of over 2 billion euros.

EU governments are demanding that Brussels keep national plans for phasing out Russian oil and gas by the end of 2027 secret. This is due to the desire to avoid influencing market prices and disclosing confidential information.

Hungary summoned the Ukrainian ambassador over the death of a Hungarian citizen in Zakarpattia, who was allegedly beaten by TCC employees. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary stated that the man died from injuries sustained after being detained and beaten with an iron rod.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. They discussed Ukraine's integration into the EU, unblocking negotiation clusters, and increasing sanctions pressure on Russia.

Hungarian company MOL considers the Odesa-Brody oil pipeline and sea deliveries as the best solution to reduce energy dependence on Russia. The project requires significant investment and political support, given the war in Ukraine.

Ukrzaliznytsia is launching an additional daytime train No. 218/217 in test mode, which will connect Zakarpattia with Lviv region on July 17, 19, and 25. It will have convenient connections to international and domestic flights.

A group of Russian websites is publishing confidential data of Ukrainian military personnel and their families, using technical services in Slovakia. The goal is public humiliation and intimidation, which is part of information-psychological warfare.

The EU has not yet agreed on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which the European Commission proposed on June 10. Slovakia is blocking it due to unresolved issues of gas supplies after 2027.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called for the resignation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and rejected Brussels' economic recommendations regarding fiscal policy. The Hungarian government refused the EC's demands for permanent fiscal measures to reduce the budget deficit, citing national priorities.

40 years after the establishment of the Schengen area, internal border controls are being tightened, limiting freedoms. Poland has introduced controls at its borders with Germany and Lithuania, and other EU countries are also strengthening checks.

An express analysis showed that about 2,300 people died in 12 European cities from the severe heatwave that ended last week. Climate change made temperatures significantly higher, leading to 1,500 additional deaths.

Europe has been engulfed by wildfires, record heat, and storms. In Portugal, 284 deaths from overheating have been recorded, while other countries have experienced large-scale destruction and paralyzed infrastructure.

Greece's main archaeological site, the Acropolis, was partially closed on Tuesday due to a four-day severe heatwave. Temperatures in Athens will reach 38 degrees Celsius, and in other regions up to 42 degrees.

The Dzvinkove-Lonya border crossing point on the border with Hungary has resumed operations in its usual mode. Earlier, its activity was temporarily suspended due to bad weather.

Due to bad weather, border crossing operations have been temporarily suspended at the Dzvinkove-Lonya checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border. For border crossing, it is recommended to use the nearest checkpoints Kosyno or Velyka Palad.

A 19-year-old Lviv resident was detained in Zakarpattia for the thirteenth time attempting to illegally cross the border. He was trying to get to Hungary, seeking better living conditions.

Night bad weather in Hungary and Slovakia led to delays of a number of Ukrzaliznytsia trains that were waiting for the transfer of Ukrainian passengers. Ukrzaliznytsia waited for passengers in Chop, but serious delays occurred, in particular, the Vienna – Kyiv train is delayed by more than 8 hours.

Great Britain has imposed sanctions on two Russians and one legal entity for the development of chemical weapons. Among them are the deputy commander of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological protection troops and an institute that supplies grenades with chemical substances.

As of the morning of July 8, Ukrzaliznytsia updated the list of trains delayed due to bad weather, including train No. 749/750 Vienna-Kyiv, which will be delayed by eight hours. Stormy weather conditions in Zakarpattia, Slovakia, and Hungary caused changes in passenger train schedules.

According to Barrot, the European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia, which will be the toughest in the last three years. The restrictions will be aimed at the financial and energy resources of the Kremlin, and may also affect foreign companies that help circumvent previous sanctions.

Stormy weather conditions in Zakarpattia, Slovakia, and Hungary are causing changes in passenger train schedules. Flights from Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava are delayed, and the contact network near Barkasovo and Skole has also been damaged.

Ukraine has fulfilled all conditions for starting negotiations on EU membership in key areas. Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna announced readiness to open three clusters as early as July.

Vice Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna stated that the start of Ukraine's EU accession talks does not require unanimous support from all 27 member states. Hungary's blocking has pushed the EU to seek legal solutions for continuing European integration.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced conditions for ending the war, including recognition of annexed territories and demilitarization of Ukraine. He also demands the lifting of sanctions, the return of assets, and Ukraine's neutral status.