Hungary
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that the results of the upcoming parliamentary elections will decide whether Budapest will be drawn into a war with Russia. He noted that next year's elections will be the last before the war, as Europe has already decided to "go to war" by 2030.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced the dispatch of a Hungarian business delegation to Moscow. The mission will focus on economic cooperation in post-war conditions, when Russia may be reintegrated into the Western economy.
Hungary blocked the decision to issue Eurobonds to finance Ukraine, which was an alternative to the "reparation loan. " Belgium also opposes it due to fears of lawsuits from Russia.
Hungary has officially refused to issue Eurobonds to support Ukraine. This complicates the search for alternative sources of financing for Kyiv if the EU cannot use frozen Russian assets.
The US is trying to block EU plans to use frozen assets of the Russian central bank to support a loan to Ukraine. Washington believes that these assets are necessary to secure a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow.
European leaders are warning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not to succumb to Russia's demands without ironclad security commitments from the United States. They advise clearly defining America's role in security guarantees for Kyiv before agreeing to Russia's demands.
Lawmakers from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party have submitted a bill that makes it harder to remove the president from office. The amendment comes four months before elections in which the opposition seeks to reverse Orban's consolidation of power.
Oil prices rose: Brent to $63. 02, WTI to $59.36. Attacks on Russian oil pipelines and lack of progress in peace talks contribute to rising prices.
European low-cost airlines, including Wizz Air and Ryanair, plan to resume flights to Ukraine after a peace agreement is signed, predicting a boom in "catastrophe tourism" and the return of people. Wizz Air plans to base 15 aircraft within two years, and Ryanair could resume services two weeks after an agreement.
MEPs are considering regulating energy drinks for minors due to health risks. Some EU countries already have age restrictions, but the European Commission notes that there is insufficient data for safe daily limits for children.
Hungary and Slovakia will appeal to the EU's highest court to challenge the agreement to phase out Russian gas by September next year. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that the new restrictions are unacceptable, as Hungary cannot ensure energy supply without Russian sources.
The European Union has agreed on final rules that provide for a gradual cessation of Russian natural gas imports. A full embargo on supplies will come into force by the end of 2027 after approval by the EU Council and the European Parliament.
The European Commission is proposing a legal solution to avoid Belgium having to pay billions of euros if Hungary vetoes the extension of sanctions against Russia. This would allow €140 billion of frozen Russian assets to be used as a loan to Ukraine.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced a possible reset of US-Russian relations. He believes that Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who has good relations with Donald Trump, should intervene in the situation.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha commented on the decision of Polish President Karol Nawrocki not to meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Sybiha called the decision "really good" and one that demonstrates Poland's principled stance and solidarity.
NATO is stepping up preparations for a possible confrontation with Russia, while the US is reducing its military presence in Europe. The number of American troops has already been reduced in Romania, and similar steps are planned in Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki limited his trip to Hungary, refusing to meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This decision was made due to Orban's visit to Moscow, which caused concern in Warsaw.
European stock markets are showing significant growth, with half of the world's top 20 markets being European. Investors are increasing their investments in Europe amid lower inflation and anticipated corporate earnings growth.
The interpreter for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán poorly heard Putin during a visit to Moscow, leading to an inaccurate translation. Tamás Menczer, communications director for Hungary's Fidesz party, explained that she is the best interpreter, but perhaps had a bad day.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that after the war, Ukraine would become a buffer state between the West and Russia, as it was before the war.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the dismissal of the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine a political crisis. This happened against the backdrop of Orban's visit to Putin and the chaos in the negotiations on the Witkoff plan.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's trip to Moscow on November 28. Merz recalled that after Orban's previous visit to the Kremlin in July 2024, Russia intensified airstrikes on Ukraine.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing a proposal that involves recognizing Russia's control over annexed Crimea and occupied territories of Ukraine. This is part of a peace agreement being developed by US Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, during a meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, stated Budapest's readiness to provide a platform for negotiations on "conflict resolution" in Ukraine. The leaders also discussed a possible Russian-American summit in Budapest and cooperation in the energy sector.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban went to Moscow on November 28. He plans to discuss oil and gas supplies, as well as peace efforts in Ukraine with Vladimir Putin.
"Ukrzaliznytsia" has accelerated the direct flight No. 67/68 Kyiv - Warsaw by more than 2 hours, changing the timetable. Train No. 23/34 Kyiv - Kholm has also been updated for the fastest connection to Warsaw with a transfer.
Ukrzaliznytsia announced new international railway routes. For the first time, sleeping cars will run from Uzhhorod to Vienna, and Berehove will get a direct connection to Budapest. It will be possible to reach Germany with one transfer.
Bosnia and Herzegovina refused to accept a military plane with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. The reason given was Hungary's long-standing support for Milorad Dodik, whose actions undermine the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Minister of Defense, Zukan Helez, denied permission for a Hungarian military aircraft carrying Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to land. The reason cited was Hungary's support for actions undermining Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and the lack of explanation regarding the use of a military aircraft.
People's Deputy Oleksiy Honcharenko stated that Ukraine's accession to the EU would lead to a loss of sovereignty. Expert Boryslav Bereza criticized this statement, pointing to the lack of arguments and Poroshenko's previous actions.