Hungary's opposition is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and early elections after the release of a video showing physical abuse at a state-run juvenile detention center in Budapest. This incident occurred amid accusations of sexual abuse and the organization of a prostitution ring by the facility's former director.
A deputy of the Dnipro City Council has been notified of suspicion for forging documents. He went abroad under the guise of a business trip to spend a vacation with his family on the island of Rhodes in Greece.
The Dutch government has pledged an additional 700 million euros to Ukraine from the remaining funds in the budgets of the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs. This amount is less than the parliament's request, but most parties supported the proposal.
Seven EU countries have called for the use of frozen Russian assets to finance a reparations loan to Ukraine. This decision will strengthen Ukraine's position and ensure compensation for damages caused by the aggression.
EU countries will have to allocate billions of euros to guarantee loans to Ukraine totaling up to 210 billion euros, with Germany providing support of up to 52 billion euros. The European Commission presented these figures after proposing a "reparation loan" for Ukraine of 165 billion euros from frozen Russian assets.
Hungary and Slovakia will file a motion with the European Court of Justice to overturn the RePowerEU plan, which provides for a complete ban on imports of Russian gas and oil. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that this step is due to the threat to secure energy supply and rising prices.
The Hungarian authorities do not support participation in financial assistance to Ukraine, thwarting the European "Plan B" to use frozen Russian assets. Budapest refused to join the issuance of joint Eurobonds, which increased tensions within the EU.
Russia declared the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, wanted on charges of involvement in the death of propagandist Hanna Prokofieva. Brovdi reacted to the accusations with a quote from Bulgakov's novel.
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.
