Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán voted against Ukraine's accession to the EU, believing that it threatens the country's economy. Orbán's advisor stated that supporting Ukraine would cost $100 billion per year.

Switzerland has joined the EU sanctions and imposed restrictions against eight Russian media outlets. The changes to the decree come into force on April 23, 2025.

The chances of Ukrainian hierarchs heading the Vatican are extremely small, the expert explained. The head of the UGCC Shevchuk will not be elected because he is not a cardinal, and Cardinal Bychok is hindered by his age and the Eastern rite.

Hungary can force the EU to lift sanctions against €210 billion of frozen Russian assets. This will remove the guarantee on loans to Ukraine and shift their coverage to EU and G7 taxpayers.

Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, starting the Sede Vacante period. The election of the new pontiff will be held by cardinals at a conclave, where candidates from liberal and conservative forces will compete.

Ukraine U18 national team started the Division 1A World Championship with a convincing victory. Oleksandr Bobkin's team defeated the tournament hosts, Hungary, with a score of 7:1.

DPSU spokesman Andriy Demchenko reported that most attempts of illegal border crossing occur outside border crossing points, but no increase in their number is recorded. Most such attempts are at the borders with Romania and Moldova.

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was recorded in Hungary on a farm with 3,000 cows, and there were six cases in Slovakia back in March. Hungary estimates the damage at millions of euros.

The Constitutional Court of Lithuania has ruled that restricting partnerships to only between a man and a woman is unconstitutional. Same-sex couples will be able to register partnerships through the court until the Seimas passes a law.

European Commissioner Marta Kos believes that Ukraine has realistic prospects of joining the EU by 2030. She compared it to the accession of the Balkan countries to NATO.

The European Union is discussing the possibility of sending military advisers to Ukraine to organize training for Ukrainian soldiers. The issue was discussed at the EU Council meeting in Luxembourg.

The EU will not extend Ukraine's free access to the market, seeking to agree on broader trade liberalization by June 5. They are working on a "legal bridge" if an agreement is not reached in time.

From April 17, vehicle scales will be checked at three checkpoints in Zakarpattia. Possible temporary delays in the movement of freight transport on the border with Hungary, Slovakia and Romania.

The European Commission is exploring legal ways for EU companies to terminate long-term gas contracts with Russia without paying large penalties. This is part of the EU's plan to abandon Russian fuel by 2027.

The European Commission intends to present a detailed plan on May 6 to abandon Russian fuel by 2027. Delays are related to uncertainty regarding Trump's duties and energy trade.

Orbán's advisor stated that Ukraine's accession to the EU would absorb resources and weaken Hungary's position. Support would cost $100 billion a year, and for Hungary, this could become a burden of 20 trillion forints.

Péter Szijjártó stated that the EU is considering sending military advisors to Ukraine and allocating 40 billion euros for weapons. Hungary opposes these initiatives and a new package of sanctions against Russia.

The Hungarian Parliament has adopted an amendment that allows banning public LGBTQ+ events, such as Budapest Pride. Authorities will be able to identify participants and fine them.

Radosław Sikorski stated that Hungary is preventing the allocation of funds to Ukraine from the European Peace Fund and is blocking negotiations on joining the EU, including the 17th package of sanctions.

The President of Slovakia criticized the creation of separate support groups for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of joint actions within the EU and NATO. He called for unity instead of "pseudo-groups."

Hungary will not agree to the EU military training mission in Ukraine. Budapest will also oppose sanctions on Russian energy imports.

The Hungarian parliament may adopt an amendment to the constitution that effectively bans LGBTQ+ gatherings. Suspension of citizenship for threatening the country's security is also possible.

EU ministers are seeking to provide Ukraine with 2 million artillery shells worth 5 billion euros. Hungary remains the main obstacle to military aid.

Péter Magyar has promised to unlock billions of euros from the EU for Hungary's economy and hold a referendum on Ukraine's accession to the EU if he is elected next year.

Hungary and Slovakia are suffering from foot-and-mouth disease, which has led to the closure of borders with neighboring countries. Authorities are trying to contain the spread of the disease among livestock.

Thousands of people from Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia gathered in Belgrade for a rally in support of Vucic. This is a response to anti-corruption protests that threaten his position.

Lithuania plans to introduce national sanctions against Russia and Belarus if the European Union does not extend the existing economic restrictions. The relevant bill is already being considered in the Seimas.

Next week, Hungary will begin sending out ballots for a survey of citizens regarding support for Ukraine's membership in the EU. The Hungarian government continues to express concern about this issue.

An investigation into the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been launched in Hungary, suspecting the unnatural origin of the virus. The authorities are taking strict measures to prevent a recurrence of the 2001 epidemic.

David Lammy calls on the EU to speed up the accession of the Balkan countries to counter the influence of the Russian Federation. The Kremlin is trying to use tensions to destabilize the region.