Hungary

EU foreign ministers decided to suspend the visa-free regime for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports. Slovakia and Hungary opposed the decision, but it was passed by a qualified majority.

EU foreign ministers have decided to extend sanctions against Russia for six months. According to Kaja Kallas, this will continue to deprive Moscow of revenues to finance the war.

The EU has agreed to extend sanctions against Russia for 6 months after Hungary lifted the “reserve”. Budapest has received guarantees on energy security and negotiations with Ukraine on energy transit, the media reports.

The EU plans to extend sanctions against Russia, and Hungary will stop its resistance to this decision. In exchange, the EU will provide guarantees for the bloc's energy security.

Hungary is ready to give up blocking EU sanctions against Russia in exchange for a statement on energy security. EU diplomats expect a compromise to be reached at today's meeting.

Representatives of Hungary did not sign the joint appeal of the EU countries to not recognize the presidential election in Belarus. Slovakia also refused at first, but then joined the statement.

Turkey is seeking to resume energy negotiations with the EU and become an alternative route for gas supplies. The country could expand the Southern Gas Corridor and connect it to Mediterranean gas.

Polish Prime Minister Tusk says that Orban's blocking of sanctions against Russia will show that he belongs to Putin's “team. ” Orban demands that Ukraine resume gas transit in exchange for supporting the sanctions.

The EU will not include a ban on Russian LNG imports in the new sanctions package. Instead, it will present a roadmap for a gradual phase-out of Russian energy by 2027.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says he will not support sanctions against Russia until Ukraine resumes gas transit. Ukraine stopped transiting Russian gas on January 1, 2025.

EU gas stocks have fallen to 58. 5% compared to 74% last year.

The EU is facing a new confrontation over Orban's refusal to sign the extension of sanctions against Russia. The Hungarian prime minister criticizes the sanctions regime and calls for the resumption of relations with Russia without restrictions.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed dissatisfaction with Ukraine's decision to stop gas transit from 2025. He announced Budapest's possible response and spoke against Ukraine's rapid membership in the EU.

Lviv doctors together with a Hungarian neurosurgeon performed a unique surgery on a 7-month-old girl. Thanks to a minimally invasive intervention, they managed to close the pathological vessel with a special medical glue.

Turkey's President is ready to negotiate on the transit of Russian gas to Slovakia through the Turkish Stream. Slovak Prime Minister Fico plans to send the Minister of Economy to Turkey for further talks.

Hungarian Prime Minister announces the beginning of a second wave of right-wing political changes in Europe after Trump's rise to power. Orban plans to “occupy” Brussels and lift sanctions against Russia.

Today is the inauguration of Donald Trump, after which he plans to sign about 100 executive orders. The EU is preparing for potential changes in trade, climate policy, and its position on Ukraine.

A Belgian royal decree dating back to World War II could help preserve frozen Russian assets in the event of a Hungarian veto. Orban threatens to block the extension of EU sanctions, waiting for Trump's position.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated the need to lift sanctions against Russia and expects changes with the arrival of Trump. He also called Ukraine a "serious challenge" for the European economy.

The Ukrainian president named the United States, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany as countries that did not want Ukraine to join NATO. During a press conference with the British prime minister, he noted that each of these countries had their own reasons.

Hungary is postponing a decision on whether to extend EU sanctions against Russia until consultations with the Trump administration. Minister János Boca said that Hungary's position will depend on the US vision of the sanctions regime.

For the first time, the European Commission plans to impose sanctions against Russia without taking into account the vetoes of individual countries. Decisions on sanctions will be made by a qualified majority, not unanimously.

Since the beginning of 2024, the State Border Guard Service has reported 59,000 refusals to cross the border, mostly to men aged 18-60. Most violations are recorded on the border with Romania and Moldova, and there has been a decrease in illegal crossing attempts.

Border guards detained 8 residents of Zakarpattia while trying to illegally cross the border with Hungary. One of the offenders was a minor, and all the detainees were referred to court.

From January 4 to January 10, 2025, 508 thousand people crossed the Ukrainian border, which is 16. 9% more than the previous week. The largest flow was observed on January 4-5, when more than 105 thousand people crossed the border daily.

Slovakia's prime minister announced guaranteed supplies of 3-3. 5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to the country. If the situation with gas transit through Ukraine does not change, he threatens to suspend aid and veto further support.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi responded to the Slovak prime minister's statements about stopping gas transit through Ukraine. He emphasized that the problem is Russia and the unwillingness of some European countries to get rid of energy dependence.

Ukraine has set an example for European countries in refusing to use Russian nuclear fuel for Soviet-designed reactors. Three EU countries already use Westinghouse fuel, and two more are preparing to switch.

KazMunayGas proposes to buy Bulgaria's only oil refinery from Russia's Lukoil. The deal could strengthen the position of Kazakh oil in Europe and double the company's refining capacity in the region.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó criticized Ukraine's decision to stop transiting Russian gas. He said that Ukraine needs the unanimous support of all member states to join the EU.