Hungary
The Hungarian prime minister criticised Brussels' position on supporting Ukraine. Orban compared the EU's statements to ‘support for murder’ and said, that a place in the negotiations must be earned.
NASA will replace the new SpaceX capsule with the previously used Crew Dragon Endeavor for the Crew-10 mission to the ISS. This will accelerate the return of two Starliner astronauts and affect other planned space missions.
Peter Szijjarto announced that Lebanon would receive €1 million through the European Peace Fund instead of supporting Ukraine. Hungary continues to block the allocation of €6 billion in military aid to Ukraine from this fund.
A Hungarian company will start supplying gas to Transnistria with the support of a Russian loan. After 10-day humanitarian deliveries of European gas, the region received a new scheme of fuel supply.
Two conscripts who tried to illegally cross the border with Romania were detained in Zakarpattia. The men had been wandering in the mountains for three days until border guards found them following footprints in the snow.
The President of Ukraine has appointed Ambassador to Hungary Fyodor Shandor as a representative to the Danube Commission. The appointment was made in accordance with Decree No. 76/2025.
The Vice Prime Minister said that Ukraine's membership in the EU is not subject to negotiations and will happen regardless of any plans. She also recalled the irreversibility of Ukraine's membership in NATO, which has been confirmed by all allies.
The Vice Prime Minister explained that Hungary's blocking of Ukraine's accession to the EU is political in nature. The decision depends on the consensus of all member states and is linked to geopolitical changes in the world.
In 2024, Russian oil transit through Ukraine decreased to 11. 5 million tons. Hungary remained the largest recipient with 4.8 million tons, while supplies to Slovakia and the Czech Republic decreased.
Ukraine is awaiting the approval of a roadmap to start negotiations on EU accession. The first cluster may open in April, two more in June, and the rest during the Danish presidency.
Ukrainian athlete Yaroslava Maguchikh won the high jump competition in Udine with a score of 1. 94 meters. Hungary's Lilianna Batory took second place with a personal best of 1.91 meters.
The Ukrainian youth national team was drawn into Group H of the Euro 2027 (U-21) qualifiers. Their opponents are Croatia, Hungary, Turkey, and Lithuania.
The economic crisis in Hungary threatens Viktor Orban's victory in the 2026 elections. High inflation, falling living standards, and a declining birth rate are undermining the Fidesz party's position.
The leader of the Fidesz faction reported on the warnings of the special services regarding the Ukrainian campaign to discredit Orban. According to him, Ukraine has spent considerable money on spreading false materials through the media.
In Zakarpattia region, a truck with 13 men who were trying to illegally leave for Hungary under a layer of sand was detained. For the attempt to cross the border, each had to pay from 8 to 10 thousand dollars.
“Trabzonspor has officially announced the transfer of Shakhtar winger Oleksandr Zubkov for €6 million. The Ukrainian footballer's contract runs until the summer of 2029, and he will play under the number 22 shirt.
The Hungarian prime minister announced his intention to maintain all business relations with Russia, despite the EU's opposition. Orban claims that Russian energy is vital for Hungary's economy.
The Hungarian prime minister said that without negotiations, Ukraine would become the “Afghanistan of the EU. ” He also emphasized that a Ukrainian victory is impossible without sending Western troops to Ukraine.
The Hungarian prime minister refused to express his personal position on Russian aggression, referring to the official position of the EU. He also said that the Ukrainian victory is impossible without direct intervention of Western troops.
From February 1, 2025, new banking limits on transfers will be introduced in Ukraine, and electricity tariffs will change. Also, changes will occur in payments to military personnel, and international train tickets will become more expensive.
Hungarian Prime Minister Orban announced a possible veto of EU sanctions against Russia in 6 months if gas transit does not resume. Hungary received guarantees from the EU to resume transit.
The European Commission has officially denied information about the possibility of resuming purchases of Russian gas in exchange for peace talks. The spokesperson for the EC President confirmed the course of refusal from Russian gas.
Russia's sovereign wealth fund will be exhausted in early 2026 at current military spending levels. Russia is actively seeking support from the EU to resume energy purchases and ease sanctions.
Yevhenia Blyzniuk explained that the government should develop separate incentive packages for different groups of refugees. According to her, the easiest way to return Ukrainians from Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria is through logistical proximity.
European officials are discussing the possibility of resuming imports of Russian pipeline gas as part of a peace settlement. Germany and Hungary support the initiative to reduce energy prices.
The EU plans to add 35 individuals and 19 companies from Russia, the DPRK and China to the sanctions list. The new package will include prohibitive duties on fertilizers and certain agri-food products.
The EU plans a phased ban on imports of Russian aluminum and to disconnect 15 banks from SWIFT. The new package of sanctions will also include restrictions on 70 ships of the “shadow fleet”.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas commented on possible obstacles to Ukraine's accession to the EU from Hungary. She emphasized that despite the complexity of decision-making, the EU always reaches consensus.
Ukrzaliznytsia reduces discounts on tickets to Poland and Hungary due to rising costs. The price increase will range from 9% to 37% depending on the direction and class of carriage.
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.