Hungary

No breakthrough on Ukraine after Witkoff-Putin talks in Moscow<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//12//03//von-der-leyen-pushes-ahead-with-reparations-loan-for-ukraine-as-belgium-maintains-its-oppo/">Von der Leyen pushes ahead with reparations loan for Ukraine as Belgium maintains its opposition<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Most of Hungary's fossil fuels are imported from Russia through the Druzhba and South Stream pipelines.<\/p>\n<p>Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has made several efforts to phase out Russian fuels. Hungary, together with Slovakia, received an exception in 2022 from the EU's sanctions on Russian oil imports. <\/p>\n<p>According to the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Slovakia is also considering legal action against the RepowerEU plans. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1764763294,"updatedAt":1764770044,"publishedAt":1764767603,"firstPublishedAt":1764767603,"lastPublishedAt":1764767603,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/57\/03\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_62dbfb87-92c2-5a9f-8e7e-76639b185b1f-9570310.jpg","altText":"Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto ","caption":"Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":25990,"slug":"energy-transition","urlSafeValue":"energy-transition","title":"energy transition","titleRaw":"energy transition"},{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2815641},{"id":2809424},{"id":2852132}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/12\/03\/hungary-to-sue-eu-over-brussels-diktat-to-phase-out-russian-energy","lastModified":1764767603},{"id":2849532,"cid":9561313,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"orban putin moscow","daletPyramidId":3413863,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary's Orb\u00e1n looks to meet Putin in Moscow amid Ukraine deal talks","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary's Orb\u00e1n looks to meet Putin in Moscow amid Ukraine deal talks","titleListing2":"Hungarian PM Viktor Orb\u00e1n heads to Moscow to meet Putin and discuss peace in Ukraine and energy questions","leadin":"Hungarian PM Viktor Orb\u00e1n is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, according to media reports. Orb\u00e1n has urged the EU to support the US-led plan and engage in direct talks with Russia.","summary":"Hungarian PM Viktor Orb\u00e1n is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, according to media reports. Orb\u00e1n has urged the EU to support the US-led plan and engage in direct talks with Russia.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarys-orban-looks-to-meet-putin-in-moscow-amid-ukraine-deal-talks","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/11\/25\/hungarys-orban-looks-to-meet-putin-in-moscow-amid-ukraine-deal-talks","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n will travel to Moscow on Friday to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to media reports.\n\nThe information came from Hungarian government sources who were involved in the preparations of the trip, according to investigative central European outlet VSquare.\n\nThe Hungarian government has not confirmed the visit at this time, with Budapest saying it would inform the public about Orb\u00e1n's programme in due time.\n\nThe agenda for the meeting is not yet known. But Orb\u00e1n has maintained ties to Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the two leaders have kept in regular touch, meeting in person three times since early 2022.\n\nThe Hungarian premier has repeatedly stated he was in favour of an immediate ceasefire and peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. Over the weekend, Orb\u00e1n called on the European Union to support Washington's peace efforts and engage in direct negotiations with Russia.\n\n'\"Europeans must immediately and unconditionally support the peace initiative of the President of the United States,\" Orb\u00e1n said in a letter sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday.\n\n\"In addition to supporting the US president, we must, without delay, launch autonomous and direct diplomatic negotiations with Russia,\" he added.\n\nEuropeans 'prefer to continue the war,' Orb\u00e1n says\n\nHungary is one of the few European countries that imports large quantities of Russian oil and gas, despite the European Union's efforts to decouple from Moscow's fossil fuels.\n\nDuring a visit to Washington in November, Orb\u00e1n secured exemptions from Washington's secondary tariffs targeting Russia's oil exporters Rosneft and Lukoil.\n\nAddressing US President Donald Trump, Orb\u00e1n also blamed the European Union for what he said was its support of the war.\n\n\"Your peace efforts are splendid, but the problem is Brussels, the Europeans. They prefer to continue the war, because they still think Ukraine can win on the front line,\" Orb\u00e1n said.\n\nEarlier, Trump announced direct talks with Putin in Budapest, only for the meeting to be called off by Washington, citing a lack of agreement with Moscow.\n\nFollowing the leak of the US-Russia 28-point plan last week, said to be strongly in favour of Moscow, Ukrainian and European representatives have met with their US counterparts for further talks, followed by a counterproposal offering more guarantees for Ukraine.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n will travel to Moscow on Friday to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to media reports. <\/p>\n<p>The information came from Hungarian government sources who were involved in the preparations of the trip, according to investigative central European outlet VSquare.<\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian government has not confirmed the visit at this time, with Budapest saying it would inform the public about Orb\u00e1n's programme in due time. <\/p>\n<p>The agenda for the meeting is not yet known. But Orb\u00e1n has maintained ties to Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the two leaders have kept in regular touch, meeting in person three times since early 2022.<\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian premier has repeatedly stated he was in favour of an immediate ceasefire and peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. Over the weekend, Orb\u00e1n called on the European Union to support Washington's peace efforts and engage in direct negotiations with Russia. <\/p>\n<p>'\"Europeans must immediately and unconditionally support the peace initiative of the President of the United States,\" Orb\u00e1n said in a letter sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>\"In addition to supporting the US president, we must, without delay, launch autonomous and direct diplomatic negotiations with Russia,\" he added.<\/p>\n<h2>Europeans 'prefer to continue the war,' Orb\u00e1n says<\/h2>\n<p>Hungary is one of the few European countries that imports large quantities of Russian oil and gas, despite the European Union's efforts to decouple from Moscow's fossil fuels. <\/p>\n<p>During a visit to Washington in November, Orb\u00e1n secured exemptions from Washington's secondary tariffs targeting Russia's oil exporters Rosneft and Lukoil. <\/p>\n<p>Addressing US President Donald Trump, Orb\u00e1n also blamed the European Union for what he said was its support of the war.<\/p>\n<p>\"Your peace efforts are splendid, but the problem is Brussels, the Europeans. They prefer to continue the war, because they still think Ukraine can win on the front line,\" Orb\u00e1n said. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//11//14//hungary-to-mount-court-challenge-to-eus-planned-phase-out-of-russian-energy-orban-says/">Hungary to mount court challenge to EU's planned phase-out of Russian energy, Orb\u00e1n says<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//11//08//trump-hands-viktor-orban-a-win-as-hungary-locks-exemption-for-russian-energy-imports/">Trump hands Viktor Orb\u00e1n a win as Hungary locks exemption for Russian energy imports<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Earlier, Trump announced direct talks with Putin in Budapest, only for the meeting to be called off by Washington, citing a lack of agreement with Moscow.<\/p>\n<p>Following the leak of the US-Russia 28-point plan last week, said to be strongly in favour of Moscow, Ukrainian and European representatives have met with their US counterparts for further talks, followed by a counterproposal offering more guarantees for Ukraine. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1764083198,"updatedAt":1764090157,"publishedAt":1764088941,"firstPublishedAt":1764088941,"lastPublishedAt":1764088941,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/56\/13\/13\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_55994381-04b0-5fb2-ad64-8e6342d66fe2-9561313.jpg","altText":"FILE: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban attend a joint news conference in Moscow, 5 July 2024","caption":"FILE: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban attend a joint news conference in Moscow, 5 July 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":8263,"slug":"vladimir-putin","urlSafeValue":"vladimir-putin","title":"Vladimir Putin","titleRaw":"Vladimir Putin"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2834821},{"id":2850002}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/11\/25\/hungarys-orban-looks-to-meet-putin-in-moscow-amid-ukraine-deal-talks","lastModified":1764088941},{"id":2849023,"cid":9558686,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Culture Budapest Roman sarcophagus","daletPyramidId":3394298,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"'Truly rare': Archaeologists uncover 1,700-year-old Roman tomb in Budapest ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Ancient Roman sarcophagus unearthed intact in Budapest","titleListing2":"'Truly rare': Archaeologists uncover 1,700-year-old Roman tomb in Budapest ","leadin":"The limestone coffin, sealed for nearly two millennia, contained a young woman's skeleton surrounded by treasures meant for her eternal journey.","summary":"The limestone coffin, sealed for nearly two millennia, contained a young woman's skeleton surrounded by treasures meant for her eternal journey.","keySentence":"","url":"truly-rare-archaeologists-uncover-1700-year-old-roman-tomb-in-budapest","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2025\/11\/24\/truly-rare-archaeologists-uncover-1700-year-old-roman-tomb-in-budapest","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"It's not every day archaeologists get to lift the lid on a tomb that's been sealed shut for 1,700 years \u2013 but that's exactly what happened beneath the streets of Budapest, where researchers have uncovered a remarkably intact Roman sarcophagus.\n\nThe limestone coffin was discovered during excavations in \u00d3buda, a northern district that was once part of Aquincum, a thriving Roman settlement along the Danube. And here's the extraordinary bit: it had never been opened or disturbed since it was first sealed all those centuries ago.\n\n\"The peculiarity of the finding is that it was a hermetically sealed sarcophagus. It was not disturbed previously, so it was intact,\" said Gabriella F\u00e9nyes, the excavation's lead archaeologist.\n\nWhen the Budapest History Museum team carefully prised open the heavy stone lid \u2013which had been secured with metal clamps and molten lead \u2013 they found a complete skeleton surrounded by a treasure trove of artefacts. Inside were two perfectly preserved glass vessels, bronze figures, and an impressive haul of 140 coins. A bone hair pin, amber jewellery, and traces of gold-threaded fabric, along with the skeleton's size, suggest the tomb belonged to a young woman.\n\nThe coffin had been placed among the ruins of abandoned houses in a quarter of Aquincum that residents had vacated in the 3rd century, which was later turned into a burial ground. Whilst archaeologists also found a Roman aqueduct and eight simpler graves nearby, none came close to matching the richness or pristine condition of this sealed tomb.\n\nAll the objects were \"items given to the deceased by her relatives for her eternal journey,\" F\u00e9nyes explained.\n\n\"The deceased was buried very carefully by her relatives. They must have really loved who they buried here,\" she said.\n\nDuring the Roman era, much of modern-day Hungary formed part of the province of Pannonia, whose frontier ran along the Danube's right bank \u2013 less than a mile (1.6 kilometres) from where the sarcophagus was found. A legionary camp once stood nearby, guarding the empire's border, and the newly discovered structures are thought to have been part of the civilian settlement that grew up around it.\n\nAnthropologists will now examine the young woman's remains to learn more about her age, health, and origins. But the grave's location and the abundance of artefacts already tell us quite a bit about who she might have been.\n\nThe sarcophagus and its contents \"definitely make it stand out,\" said Gergely Kosty\u00e1l, a Roman-period specialist and co-leader of the project. \"This probably means that the deceased was well-to-do or of a higher social status.\"\n\n\"It is truly rare to find a sarcophagus like this, untouched and never used before, because in the fourth century it was common to reuse earlier sarcophagi,\" he added. \"It is quite clear that this sarcophagus was made specifically for the deceased.\"\n\nThe excavation team also removed a layer of mud roughly four centimetres thick from inside the coffin, which F\u00e9nyes hopes might contain even more treasures.\n\n\"I suspect we could find jewellery. We haven't found any earrings or other jewellery belonging to the woman, so I hope that these small items will turn up during the sifting of the mud,\" she said.\n\nFor F\u00e9nyes, the discovery isn't just scientifically significant \u2013 it's deeply moving.\n\n\"I was very touched by the care and expression of love that we were able to get a glimpse of,\" she said. \"Even now, I shudder to think how painful it must have been for the people at that time to bury this young lady.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>It's not every day <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//archaeology/">archaeologists get to lift the lid on a tomb that's been sealed shut for 1,700 years \u2013 but that's exactly what happened beneath the streets of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//budapest/">Budapest, where researchers have uncovered a remarkably intact Roman sarcophagus.<\/p>\n<p>The limestone coffin was discovered during excavations in \u00d3buda, a northern district that was once part of Aquincum, a thriving <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//roma-imparatorlugu/">Roman settlement along the Danube. And here's the extraordinary bit: it had never been opened or disturbed since it was first sealed all those centuries ago.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//55//86//86//808x539_cmsv2_47148eee-5ab0-5062-b995-f659af74b2df-9558686.jpg/" alt=\"Hungarian archaeologists Gabriella Fenyes, left, and Gergely Kostyal inspect a glass flask found in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/384x256_cmsv2_47148eee-5ab0-5062-b995-f659af74b2df-9558686.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/640x427_cmsv2_47148eee-5ab0-5062-b995-f659af74b2df-9558686.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/750x500_cmsv2_47148eee-5ab0-5062-b995-f659af74b2df-9558686.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/828x552_cmsv2_47148eee-5ab0-5062-b995-f659af74b2df-9558686.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1080x720_cmsv2_47148eee-5ab0-5062-b995-f659af74b2df-9558686.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1200x800_cmsv2_47148eee-5ab0-5062-b995-f659af74b2df-9558686.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1920x1281_cmsv2_47148eee-5ab0-5062-b995-f659af74b2df-9558686.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungarian archaeologists Gabriella Fenyes, left, and Gergely Kostyal inspect a glass flask found in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"The peculiarity of the finding is that it was a hermetically sealed sarcophagus. It was not disturbed previously, so it was intact,\" said Gabriella F\u00e9nyes, the excavation's lead archaeologist.<\/p>\n<p>When the Budapest History Museum team carefully prised open the heavy stone lid \u2013which had been secured with metal clamps and molten lead \u2013 they found a complete skeleton surrounded by a treasure trove of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//artefacts/">artefacts. Inside were two perfectly preserved glass vessels, bronze figures, and an impressive haul of 140 coins. A bone hair pin, amber jewellery, and traces of gold-threaded fabric, along with the skeleton's size, suggest the tomb belonged to a young woman.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//55//86//86//808x539_cmsv2_8e8087d2-758f-5314-ab3e-a5b6864555f9-9558686.jpg/" alt=\"Belongings of a Roman-era woman are seen in a box after archaeologists found the items in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/384x256_cmsv2_8e8087d2-758f-5314-ab3e-a5b6864555f9-9558686.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/640x427_cmsv2_8e8087d2-758f-5314-ab3e-a5b6864555f9-9558686.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/750x500_cmsv2_8e8087d2-758f-5314-ab3e-a5b6864555f9-9558686.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/828x552_cmsv2_8e8087d2-758f-5314-ab3e-a5b6864555f9-9558686.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1080x720_cmsv2_8e8087d2-758f-5314-ab3e-a5b6864555f9-9558686.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1200x800_cmsv2_8e8087d2-758f-5314-ab3e-a5b6864555f9-9558686.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1920x1281_cmsv2_8e8087d2-758f-5314-ab3e-a5b6864555f9-9558686.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Belongings of a Roman-era woman are seen in a box after archaeologists found the items in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The coffin had been placed among the ruins of abandoned houses in a quarter of Aquincum that residents had vacated in the 3rd century, which was later turned into a burial ground. Whilst archaeologists also found a Roman aqueduct and eight simpler graves nearby, none came close to matching the richness or pristine condition of this sealed tomb.<\/p>\n<p>All the objects were \"items given to the deceased by her relatives for her eternal journey,\" F\u00e9nyes explained.<\/p>\n<p>\"The deceased was buried very carefully by her relatives. They must have really loved who they buried here,\" she said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//55//86//86//808x539_cmsv2_58c48a8a-cb5b-5043-b3f6-4fad7b9ed02c-9558686.jpg/" alt=\"Hungarian archaeologists Gabriella Fenyes, left, and Gergely Kostyal inspect the skull of a Roman-era woman after her remains were found, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest,\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/384x256_cmsv2_58c48a8a-cb5b-5043-b3f6-4fad7b9ed02c-9558686.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/640x427_cmsv2_58c48a8a-cb5b-5043-b3f6-4fad7b9ed02c-9558686.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/750x500_cmsv2_58c48a8a-cb5b-5043-b3f6-4fad7b9ed02c-9558686.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/828x552_cmsv2_58c48a8a-cb5b-5043-b3f6-4fad7b9ed02c-9558686.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1080x720_cmsv2_58c48a8a-cb5b-5043-b3f6-4fad7b9ed02c-9558686.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1200x800_cmsv2_58c48a8a-cb5b-5043-b3f6-4fad7b9ed02c-9558686.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1920x1281_cmsv2_58c48a8a-cb5b-5043-b3f6-4fad7b9ed02c-9558686.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungarian archaeologists Gabriella Fenyes, left, and Gergely Kostyal inspect the skull of a Roman-era woman after her remains were found, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest,<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>During the Roman era, much of modern-day <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//news//europe//hungary/">Hungary formed part of the province of Pannonia, whose frontier ran along the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//danube/">Danube's right bank \u2013 less than a mile (1.6 kilometres) from where the sarcophagus was found. A legionary camp once stood nearby, guarding the empire's border, and the newly discovered structures are thought to have been part of the civilian settlement that grew up around it.<\/p>\n<p>Anthropologists will now examine the young woman's remains to learn more about her age, health, and origins. But the grave's location and the abundance of artefacts already tell us quite a bit about who she might have been.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//55//86//86//808x539_cmsv2_570f6cf3-0831-5c37-857a-47c826cb03de-9558686.jpg/" alt=\"An archaeologist holds a glass jar found in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/384x256_cmsv2_570f6cf3-0831-5c37-857a-47c826cb03de-9558686.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/640x427_cmsv2_570f6cf3-0831-5c37-857a-47c826cb03de-9558686.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/750x500_cmsv2_570f6cf3-0831-5c37-857a-47c826cb03de-9558686.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/828x552_cmsv2_570f6cf3-0831-5c37-857a-47c826cb03de-9558686.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1080x720_cmsv2_570f6cf3-0831-5c37-857a-47c826cb03de-9558686.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1200x800_cmsv2_570f6cf3-0831-5c37-857a-47c826cb03de-9558686.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1920x1281_cmsv2_570f6cf3-0831-5c37-857a-47c826cb03de-9558686.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">An archaeologist holds a glass jar found in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The sarcophagus and its contents \"definitely make it stand out,\" said Gergely Kosty\u00e1l, a Roman-period specialist and co-leader of the project. \"This probably means that the deceased was well-to-do or of a higher social status.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"It is truly rare to find a sarcophagus like this, untouched and never used before, because in the fourth century it was common to reuse earlier sarcophagi,\" he added. \"It is quite clear that this sarcophagus was made specifically for the deceased.\"<\/p>\n<p>The excavation team also removed a layer of mud roughly four centimetres thick from inside the coffin, which F\u00e9nyes hopes might contain even more treasures.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//55//86//86//808x539_cmsv2_2699bb8d-5343-5a33-8eae-bd45bd86a054-9558686.jpg/" alt=\"An archaeologist shows golden jewelry found at an archeological site where an intact Roman sarcophagus was unearthed, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/384x256_cmsv2_2699bb8d-5343-5a33-8eae-bd45bd86a054-9558686.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/640x427_cmsv2_2699bb8d-5343-5a33-8eae-bd45bd86a054-9558686.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/750x500_cmsv2_2699bb8d-5343-5a33-8eae-bd45bd86a054-9558686.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/828x552_cmsv2_2699bb8d-5343-5a33-8eae-bd45bd86a054-9558686.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1080x720_cmsv2_2699bb8d-5343-5a33-8eae-bd45bd86a054-9558686.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1200x800_cmsv2_2699bb8d-5343-5a33-8eae-bd45bd86a054-9558686.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/1920x1281_cmsv2_2699bb8d-5343-5a33-8eae-bd45bd86a054-9558686.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">An archaeologist shows golden jewelry found at an archeological site where an intact Roman sarcophagus was unearthed, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"I suspect we could find <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//jewellery/">jewellery. We haven't found any earrings or other jewellery belonging to the woman, so I hope that these small items will turn up during the sifting of the mud,\" she said.<\/p>\n<p>For F\u00e9nyes, the discovery isn't just scientifically significant \u2013 it's deeply moving.<\/p>\n<p>\"I was very touched by the care and expression of love that we were able to get a glimpse of,\" she said. \"Even now, I shudder to think how painful it must have been for the people at that time to bury this young lady.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1763965052,"updatedAt":1763982140,"publishedAt":1763974767,"firstPublishedAt":1763974767,"lastPublishedAt":1763974767,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_74de566b-25fa-5333-89cf-56af729687ad-9558686.jpg","altText":"he skull of a Roman-era woman is seen in a box after archaeologists found the remains in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary","caption":"he skull of a Roman-era woman is seen in a box after archaeologists found the remains in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1619,"height":910},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2699bb8d-5343-5a33-8eae-bd45bd86a054-9558686.jpg","altText":"An archaeologist shows golden jewelry found at an archeological site where an intact Roman sarcophagus was unearthed, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.","caption":"An archaeologist shows golden jewelry found at an archeological site where an intact Roman sarcophagus was unearthed, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_570f6cf3-0831-5c37-857a-47c826cb03de-9558686.jpg","altText":"An archaeologist holds a glass jar found in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. ","caption":"An archaeologist holds a glass jar found in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_58c48a8a-cb5b-5043-b3f6-4fad7b9ed02c-9558686.jpg","altText":"Hungarian archaeologists Gabriella Fenyes, left, and Gergely Kostyal inspect the skull of a Roman-era woman after her remains were found, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest,","caption":"Hungarian archaeologists Gabriella Fenyes, left, and Gergely Kostyal inspect the skull of a Roman-era woman after her remains were found, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest,","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8e8087d2-758f-5314-ab3e-a5b6864555f9-9558686.jpg","altText":"Belongings of a Roman-era woman are seen in a box after archaeologists found the items in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.","caption":"Belongings of a Roman-era woman are seen in a box after archaeologists found the items in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/86\/86\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_47148eee-5ab0-5062-b995-f659af74b2df-9558686.jpg","altText":"Hungarian archaeologists Gabriella Fenyes, left, and Gergely Kostyal inspect a glass flask found in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.","caption":"Hungarian archaeologists Gabriella Fenyes, left, and Gergely Kostyal inspect a glass flask found in an intact Roman sarcophagus, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Bela Szandelszky\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3106,"urlSafeValue":"morton","title":"Elise Morton","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28606,"slug":"archeology","urlSafeValue":"archeology","title":"archaeology","titleRaw":"archaeology"},{"id":16914,"slug":"roma-imparatorlugu","urlSafeValue":"roma-imparatorlugu","title":"Roman Empire","titleRaw":"Roman Empire"},{"id":16916,"slug":"arkeolojik-kaz-","urlSafeValue":"arkeolojik-kaz-","title":"archaeological excavation","titleRaw":"archaeological excavation"},{"id":1764,"slug":"budapest","urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest","titleRaw":"Budapest"},{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":5}],"related":[{"id":2847220},{"id":2846451},{"id":2844686}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"AP","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"},{"id":"art","urlSafeValue":"art","title":"Art","url":"\/culture\/art"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":{"id":1764,"urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2025\/11\/24\/truly-rare-archaeologists-uncover-1700-year-old-roman-tomb-in-budapest","lastModified":1763974767},{"id":2848349,"cid":9556412,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"FREE EUROPE END HUNGARY","daletPyramidId":3374346,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Radio Free Europe closes Hungarian service after five years following US funding cuts","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Radio Free Europe's Hungarian service shuts down after US funding cuts","titleListing2":"Radio Free Europe shutters Hungarian service after Trump funding cuts","leadin":"The shuttering of Szabad Eur\u00f3pa came as the Trump administration has made major cuts to international broadcasters like Radio Free Europe and Voice of America.","summary":"The shuttering of Szabad Eur\u00f3pa came as the Trump administration has made major cuts to international broadcasters like Radio Free Europe and Voice of America.","keySentence":"","url":"radio-free-europe-closes-hungarian-service-after-five-years-following-us-funding-cuts","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/11\/21\/radio-free-europe-closes-hungarian-service-after-five-years-following-us-funding-cuts","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Hungarian service of Radio Free Europe, Szabad Eur\u00f3pa, ceased operations on Friday after the administration of US President Donald Trump announced it would no longer fund the pro-democracy news outlet.\n\nIn a statement on Thursday announcing the end of its operations, Szabad Eur\u00f3pa wrote that it had \"worked with dedication to provide the best of journalism and objective information to Hungarian readers.\"\n\n\"We thank you for the trust, interest and support we have received from our audience,\" the statement reads, adding that its articles will still be available online.\n\nThe Hungarian service was terminated in 1993 but reintroduced in 2020 after the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an independent federal agency, and the US Congress approved its relaunching in response to Hungary's steep decline in media freedom under Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n.\n\nThe shuttering of Szabad Eur\u00f3pa came as the Trump administration has made major cuts to international broadcasters\u00a0like Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty and Voice of America, as well as domestic public broadcasters PBS and NPR.\n\nKari Lake, whom Trump named a senior adviser to the USAGM, informed Congress in a letter earlier this month that the agency would no longer fund Szabad Eur\u00f3pa, writing that its operations in Hungary were \"not aligned with US national interests\" and that they \"undermined\" Trump's foreign policy.\n\nIn a post on X two days later, Lake wrote that \"The Globalists are more than welcome to hate our ally Viktor Orb\u00e1n.\"\n\n\"What they are not entitled to is the use of YOUR money to destabilise the Hungarian regime via taxpayer-funded programming on Szabad Eur\u00f3pa. We\u2019re putting a stop to that,\" she wrote.\n\nSince returning to power in 2010, Orb\u00e1n, a Trump ally, has overseen the construction of a massive\u00a0pro-government media machine\u00a0in Hungary while numerous independent newspapers and outlets have been shuttered or brought under the control of figures with close government ties.\n\nAccording to press watchdog Reporters Without Borders, Orb\u00e1n has used media buyouts by government-connected oligarchs to build \"a true media empire subject to his party's orders.\"\n\nThe group estimates that such buyouts have given Orb\u00e1n's party control of some 80% of Hungary\u2019s media market resources.\n\nIn 2021, it put Orb\u00e1n on its list of media \"predators,\" the first European Union leader to earn the distinction.\n\nEarlier this year, Orb\u00e1n's party introduced legislation that would\u00a0blacklist and fine critical media outlets\u00a0that receive funding or grants from abroad.\n\nRadio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty, which is funded by the US government, was first established during the Cold War to provide news and information to people living behind the Iron Curtain.\n\nIts programmes are aired in 27 languages in 23 countries across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Hungarian service of Radio Free Europe, Szabad Eur\u00f3pa, ceased operations on Friday after the administration of US President Donald Trump announced it would no longer fund the pro-democracy news outlet.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement on Thursday announcing the end of its operations, Szabad Eur\u00f3pa wrote that it had \"worked with dedication to provide the best of journalism and objective information to Hungarian readers.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"We thank you for the trust, interest and support we have received from our audience,\" the statement reads, adding that its articles will still be available online.<\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian service was terminated in 1993 but reintroduced in 2020 after the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an independent federal agency, and the US Congress approved its relaunching in response to Hungary's steep decline in media freedom under Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//54//11//83//808x539_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg/" alt=\"Hungary&#x27;s Prime Minister Viktor Orb&#xE1;n speaks in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025 \" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/11\/83\/384x256_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/11\/83\/640x427_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/11\/83\/750x500_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/11\/83\/828x552_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/11\/83\/1080x720_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/11\/83\/1200x800_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/11\/83\/1920x1280_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungary&#x27;s Prime Minister Viktor Orb&#xE1;n speaks in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025 <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The shuttering of Szabad Eur\u00f3pa came as the Trump administration has made major cuts to international broadcasters like Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty and Voice of America, as well as domestic public broadcasters PBS and NPR.<\/p>\n<p>Kari Lake, whom Trump named a senior adviser to the USAGM, informed Congress in a letter earlier this month that the agency would no longer fund Szabad Eur\u00f3pa, writing that its operations in Hungary were \"not aligned with US national interests\" and that they \"undermined\" Trump's foreign policy.<\/p>\n<p>In a post on X two days later, Lake wrote that \"The Globalists are more than welcome to hate our ally Viktor Orb\u00e1n.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"What they are not entitled to is the use of YOUR money to destabilise the Hungarian regime via taxpayer-funded programming on Szabad Eur\u00f3pa. We\u2019re putting a stop to that,\" she wrote.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1987240323794215005\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Since returning to power in 2010, Orb\u00e1n, a Trump ally, has overseen the construction of a massive pro-government media machine in Hungary while numerous independent newspapers and outlets have been shuttered or brought under the control of figures with close government ties.<\/p>\n<p>According to press watchdog Reporters Without Borders, Orb\u00e1n has used media buyouts by government-connected oligarchs to build \"a true media empire subject to his party's orders.\"<\/p>\n<p>The group estimates that such buyouts have given Orb\u00e1n's party control of some 80% of Hungary\u2019s media market resources.<\/p>\n<p>In 2021, it put Orb\u00e1n on its list of media \"predators,\" the first European Union leader to earn the distinction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.661\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//55//64//12//808x535_cmsv2_b90a0444-ef01-5ac3-a5c7-748f5ac1f739-9556412.jpg/" alt=\"A technician at Radio Free Europe mans the control board in Munich where tapes in different languages carry broadcasts to eastern European countries, 11 August, 1977\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/64\/12\/384x254_cmsv2_b90a0444-ef01-5ac3-a5c7-748f5ac1f739-9556412.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/64\/12\/640x423_cmsv2_b90a0444-ef01-5ac3-a5c7-748f5ac1f739-9556412.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/64\/12\/750x496_cmsv2_b90a0444-ef01-5ac3-a5c7-748f5ac1f739-9556412.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/64\/12\/828x547_cmsv2_b90a0444-ef01-5ac3-a5c7-748f5ac1f739-9556412.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/64\/12\/1080x714_cmsv2_b90a0444-ef01-5ac3-a5c7-748f5ac1f739-9556412.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/64\/12\/1200x793_cmsv2_b90a0444-ef01-5ac3-a5c7-748f5ac1f739-9556412.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/64\/12\/1920x1269_cmsv2_b90a0444-ef01-5ac3-a5c7-748f5ac1f739-9556412.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A technician at Radio Free Europe mans the control board in Munich where tapes in different languages carry broadcasts to eastern European countries, 11 August, 1977<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Earlier this year, Orb\u00e1n's party introduced legislation that would blacklist and fine critical media outlets that receive funding or grants from abroad.<\/p>\n<p>Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty, which is funded by the US government, was first established during the Cold War to provide news and information to people living behind the Iron Curtain.<\/p>\n<p>Its programmes are aired in 27 languages in 23 countries across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1763704905,"updatedAt":1763748174,"publishedAt":1763748170,"firstPublishedAt":1763748170,"lastPublishedAt":1763748170,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/64\/12\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c38b9696-9cb6-5cdd-8547-449a3665c734-9556412.jpg","altText":"The headquarters of Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty (RFE\/RL) in Prague, 15 January, 2010","caption":"The headquarters of Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty (RFE\/RL) in Prague, 15 January, 2010","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1918,"height":1079},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/64\/12\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b90a0444-ef01-5ac3-a5c7-748f5ac1f739-9556412.jpg","altText":"A technician at Radio Free Europe mans the control board in Munich where tapes in different languages carry broadcasts to eastern European countries, 11 August, 1977","caption":"A technician at Radio Free Europe mans the control board in Munich where tapes in different languages carry broadcasts to eastern European countries, 11 August, 1977","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1322},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/11\/83\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n speaks in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025 ","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n speaks in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025 ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":528,"urlSafeValue":"kiss","title":"Gabor Kiss","twitter":null},{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"},{"id":10873,"slug":"radio","urlSafeValue":"radio","title":"Radio","titleRaw":"Radio"},{"id":20334,"slug":"public-broadcaster","urlSafeValue":"public-broadcaster","title":"Public broadcaster","titleRaw":"Public broadcaster"},{"id":12872,"slug":"cold-war","urlSafeValue":"cold-war","title":"Cold War","titleRaw":"Cold War"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"twitter","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2802686},{"id":2771802},{"id":2483822}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":{"id":1764,"urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"hu","storyId":9556285,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/11\/21\/radio-free-europe-closes-hungarian-service-after-five-years-following-us-funding-cuts","lastModified":1763748170},{"id":2846040,"cid":9546034,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ME - S01E04 - SHAPR3D - MASTER","daletPyramidId":3284869,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Fast, easy, interactive and adaptative: the \u201cgame-changing\u201d 3D design tool","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Picture my idea: The \u201cgame-changing\u201d 3D design tool","titleListing2":"Fast, easy, interactive and adaptative: the \u201cgame-changing\u201d 3D design tool","leadin":"How can European industry be helped to conceive, design, and prototype 3D models quickly, efficiently, and easily? A rapidly expanding Hungarian company claims to have the answer, using software it describes as \u201ccutting-edge innovation\u201d.","summary":"How can European industry be helped to conceive, design, and prototype 3D models quickly, efficiently, and easily? A rapidly expanding Hungarian company claims to have the answer, using software it describes as \u201ccutting-edge innovation\u201d.","keySentence":"","url":"fast-easy-interactive-and-adaptative-the-game-changing-3d-design-tool","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/11\/21\/fast-easy-interactive-and-adaptative-the-game-changing-3d-design-tool","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Based in Budapest, Shapr3D has developed a software that allows fast, easy, interactive 3D modelling of manufactured products, from robotic arms to bikes or shavers, from wheels to coffee machines.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nIt was founded by software engineer and young entrepreneur Istv\u00e1n Csan\u00e1dy, who claims they have developed \u201ca game-changing technology\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nThe company currently boasts hundreds of thousands of monthly active users, who are able to turn complex ideas into tailor-made 3D models in a matter of hours or days, instead of weeks or months. Tens of thousands of those users are paying customers, including big industry names like 3M, DeLonghi or Kenwood.\u00a0 Software engineers had to develop minimalist, performing and adaptive interfaces that help users create a sophisticated representation of whatever they have in mind - across interconnected desktops or mobile devices.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\nAmong its clients, manufacturing company Sohbi Craft Poland. Its factory near Lysomice hosts some 300 workers, who manufacture metal components for the automotive and renewable energy industries, as well as for household appliances and consumer electronics. The factory is even licensed to manufacture metal products for the military industry. Its portfolio includes around 300 different products. \u201cWith the software tool, I can design everything I need: all the production elements, all the machines, devices, and then throw them into the simulation so that everything is properly designed practically to the millimeter, says Grzegorz Gos, Industrial Engineer at Sohbi Craft Poland.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nMeanwhile, in Budapest, Shapr3D engineers keep working to improve the software\u00b4s capabilities and performance.\u00a0 So far, the tool has reportedly worked with and served teams in over 40% of Fortune 500 companies.\u00a0\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Based in Budapest, Shapr3D has developed a software that allows fast, easy, interactive 3D modelling of manufactured products, from robotic arms to bikes or shavers, from wheels to coffee machines. <\/p>\n<p>It was founded by software engineer and young entrepreneur Istv\u00e1n Csan\u00e1dy, who claims they have developed \u201ca game-changing technology\u201d. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6298701298701299\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//54//60//65//808x508_cmsv2_e2bf03f6-e69d-5dc2-9008-9136b5081159-9546065.jpg/" alt=\"Istv&#xE1;n Csan&#xE1;dy, founder and CEO of Shapr3D\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/384x242_cmsv2_e2bf03f6-e69d-5dc2-9008-9136b5081159-9546065.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/640x403_cmsv2_e2bf03f6-e69d-5dc2-9008-9136b5081159-9546065.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/750x472_cmsv2_e2bf03f6-e69d-5dc2-9008-9136b5081159-9546065.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/828x522_cmsv2_e2bf03f6-e69d-5dc2-9008-9136b5081159-9546065.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/1080x680_cmsv2_e2bf03f6-e69d-5dc2-9008-9136b5081159-9546065.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/1200x756_cmsv2_e2bf03f6-e69d-5dc2-9008-9136b5081159-9546065.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/1920x1209_cmsv2_e2bf03f6-e69d-5dc2-9008-9136b5081159-9546065.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Istv&#xE1;n Csan&#xE1;dy, founder and CEO of Shapr3D<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The company currently boasts hundreds of thousands of monthly active users, who are able to turn complex ideas into tailor-made 3D models in a matter of hours or days, instead of weeks or months. Tens of thousands of those users are paying customers, including big industry names like 3M, DeLonghi or Kenwood. Software engineers had to develop minimalist, performing and adaptive interfaces that help users create a sophisticated representation of whatever they have in mind - across interconnected desktops or mobile devices. <\/p>\n<p>Among its clients, manufacturing company Sohbi Craft Poland. Its factory near Lysomice hosts some 300 workers, who manufacture metal components for the automotive and renewable energy industries, as well as for household appliances and consumer electronics. The factory is even licensed to manufacture metal products for the military industry. Its portfolio includes around 300 different products. \u201cWith the software tool, I can design everything I need: all the production elements, all the machines, devices, and then throw them into the simulation so that everything is properly designed practically to the millimeter, says Grzegorz Gos, Industrial Engineer at Sohbi Craft Poland. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5760634462869503\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//54//60//65//808x464_cmsv2_133f8574-72a1-5274-bd80-b4d869229edd-9546065.jpg/" alt=\"Grzegorz Gos, Industrial engineer at Sohbi Craft Poland\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/384x221_cmsv2_133f8574-72a1-5274-bd80-b4d869229edd-9546065.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/640x369_cmsv2_133f8574-72a1-5274-bd80-b4d869229edd-9546065.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/750x432_cmsv2_133f8574-72a1-5274-bd80-b4d869229edd-9546065.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/828x477_cmsv2_133f8574-72a1-5274-bd80-b4d869229edd-9546065.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/1080x622_cmsv2_133f8574-72a1-5274-bd80-b4d869229edd-9546065.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/1200x691_cmsv2_133f8574-72a1-5274-bd80-b4d869229edd-9546065.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/1920x1106_cmsv2_133f8574-72a1-5274-bd80-b4d869229edd-9546065.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Grzegorz Gos, Industrial engineer at Sohbi Craft Poland<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Meanwhile, in Budapest, Shapr3D engineers keep working to improve the software\u00b4s capabilities and performance. So far, the tool has reportedly worked with and served teams in over 40% of Fortune 500 companies. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1762953541,"updatedAt":1763748516,"publishedAt":1763733614,"firstPublishedAt":1763733614,"lastPublishedAt":1763748515,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/60\/65\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cfe94a8f-c04a-55a6-83c2-f27e4ff32435-9546065.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1385,"height":783}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"id":75,"urlSafeValue":"gomez","title":"Julian GOMEZ","twitter":null}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":23650,"slug":"3d","urlSafeValue":"3d","title":"3d","titleRaw":"3d"},{"id":4577,"slug":"computers","urlSafeValue":"computers","title":"Computers","titleRaw":"Computers"},{"id":389,"slug":"technology","urlSafeValue":"technology","title":"Technology","titleRaw":"Technology"},{"id":9505,"slug":"new-technologies","urlSafeValue":"new-technologies","title":"New technologies","titleRaw":"New technologies"},{"id":363,"slug":"industry","urlSafeValue":"industry","title":"Industry","titleRaw":"Industry"},{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"KsaAiJ7mLTI","dailymotionId":"x9u40dm"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/29\/13\/63\/09\/ED_PYR_2913639_20251120091030.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":64993538,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/29\/13\/63\/09\/SHD_PYR_2913639_20251120091030.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":101431922,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/29\/13\/63\/09\/FHD_PYR_2913639_20251120091030.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":365457730,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"made-in-europe","urlSafeValue":"made-in-europe","title":"Made in Europe","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/my-europe-series\/made-in-europe"},"season":"MADE IN EUROPE_S01","episode":"S01E04 - SHAPR3D","episodeId":"1097","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"my-europe-series","urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"My Europe Series","url":"\/my-europe\/my-europe-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":60,"urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"Europe Series"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/11\/21\/fast-easy-interactive-and-adaptative-the-game-changing-3d-design-tool","lastModified":1763748515},{"id":2846885,"cid":9550053,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ORBAN AND MAGYAR IN GY\u0150R","daletPyramidId":3320906,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Orb\u00e1n and opposition rival stage rallies in Gyor as Hungary gears up for next year's elections","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Orb\u00e1n and rival P\u00e9ter Magyar hold early campaign ralies in Gyor","titleListing2":"Orb\u00e1n and opposition rival stage rallies in Gyor as Hungary gears up for 2026 elections","leadin":"The series of rallies came a week after Orb\u00e1n visited the White House, where he was granted a one-year exemption from US sanctions\u00a0on importing oil and gas from Russia.","summary":"The series of rallies came a week after Orb\u00e1n visited the White House, where he was granted a one-year exemption from US sanctions\u00a0on importing oil and gas from Russia.","keySentence":"","url":"orban-and-opposition-rival-stage-rallies-in-gyor-as-hungary-gears-up-for-elections","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/11\/15\/orban-and-opposition-rival-stage-rallies-in-gyor-as-hungary-gears-up-for-elections","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary's northwestern town of Gy\u0151r on Saturday played host to rival rallies of Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and opposition rival P\u00e9ter Magyar, who started their early election campaign at the Olympic Sports Park and the Vienna Gate Square, respectively.\n\nWith the ballot approaching in April, Orb\u00e1n \u2014trailing in most polls to his main political rival, P\u00e9ter Magyar \u2014is scheduled to stage events in five cities before the end of the year, while Magyar, a onetime insider within Orb\u00e1n\u2019s Fidesz party who erupted onto Hungary\u2019s political scene last year, aims to channel a growing number of dissatisfied voters into his camp.\n\nEarly campaign comes ahead of April's election\n\nOn Saturday, Orb\u00e1n and interviewer Gerg\u0151 V\u00e1czi picked up on familiar themes from Friday morning radio interviews, where they touched on key issues revolving around Hungary's financial situation, the possibility of ending Russia's war in Ukraine, and the issue of Hungarian sovereignty vis-\u00e0-vis Brussels.\n\nOrban repeatedly warned of the risks of an ever-spiralling war in his rally dubbed the \u201canti-war roadshow.\u201d\n\nSaturday's series of rallies in Gy\u0151r came a week after Orb\u00e1n visited the White House, where he was granted a one-year exemption from US sanctions\u00a0on importing oil and gas from Russia.\n\nGiving economic analysis, Orban justified the need for the agreements reached at the Washington meeting, saying that Budapest needs a financial shield.\n\nAsked by V\u00e1czi if the shield was needed because Hungary was not receiving EU funds, Orb\u00e1n said that the EU was a shield itself if it was a friend, but if not, it could be a \"thorn in the flesh.\"\n\nSince the Washington meeting, the Hungarian press has been speculating whether the moratorium on the lifting of sanctions is for one year or indefinitely; the US position is that it is for one year. Orb\u00e1n was evasive on this issue, despite V\u00e1czi's repeated inquiries.\n\nOrban-Magyar potential debate\n\nMeanwhile, opposition leader P\u00e9ter Magyar's rally, dubbed the \"road to victory,\" had the message that he and his party are ready to govern.\n\nMagyar said for this to happen, they would have to start small; they were not promising a space station.\n\nHis Tisza party is set to announce its 106 candidates on Monday. During the selection process, Magyar said he met with doctors, heads of institutions, artists, and scientists, as well as manual workers, meetings he described as positive. He promised that the Tisza Party would leave no one by the wayside.\n\nEarlier, the mayor of Gy\u0151r offered to let the two leaders debate in the city: while P\u00e9ter Magyar accepted this, Viktor Orb\u00e1n rejected it, claiming that P\u00e9ter Magyar is a politician controlled from Brussels.\n\nThe ruling FIDESZ party's Gy\u0151r camp said they understood Viktor Orb\u00e1n's decision not to debate P\u00e9ter Magyar. One supporter said this was justified. \"After all, he is not a competent person, because he talks in a muddle.\"\n\nOpposition voters in the city, however, opined that a debate between the two politicians was badly needed. As one Tisza supporter said, \"Hope dies last,\" so many of them remain hopeful that the debate will happen in the near future\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary's northwestern town of Gy\u0151r on Saturday played host to rival rallies of Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and opposition rival P\u00e9ter Magyar, who started their early election campaign at the Olympic Sports Park and the Vienna Gate Square, respectively. <\/p>\n<p>With the ballot approaching in April, Orb\u00e1n \u2014trailing in most polls to his main political rival, P\u00e9ter Magyar \u2014is scheduled to stage events in five cities before the end of the year, while Magyar, a onetime insider within Orb\u00e1n\u2019s Fidesz party who erupted onto Hungary\u2019s political scene last year, aims to channel a growing number of dissatisfied voters into his camp. <\/p>\n<h2>Early campaign comes ahead of April's election<\/h2>\n<p>On Saturday, Orb\u00e1n and interviewer Gerg\u0151 V\u00e1czi picked up on familiar themes from Friday morning radio interviews, where they touched on key issues revolving around Hungary's financial situation, the possibility of ending Russia's war in Ukraine, and the issue of Hungarian sovereignty vis-\u00e0-vis Brussels. <\/p>\n<p>Orban repeatedly warned of the risks of an ever-spiralling war in his rally dubbed the \u201canti-war roadshow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Saturday's series of rallies in Gy\u0151r came a week after Orb\u00e1n visited the White House, where he was granted a one-year exemption from US sanctions on importing oil and gas from Russia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//55//00//53//808x539_cmsv2_399664a4-a2ff-5bc4-98a7-92dbe07fcc90-9550053.jpg/" alt=\"Hungary&#x27;s Prime Minister Viktor Orban listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/384x256_cmsv2_399664a4-a2ff-5bc4-98a7-92dbe07fcc90-9550053.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/640x427_cmsv2_399664a4-a2ff-5bc4-98a7-92dbe07fcc90-9550053.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/750x500_cmsv2_399664a4-a2ff-5bc4-98a7-92dbe07fcc90-9550053.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/828x552_cmsv2_399664a4-a2ff-5bc4-98a7-92dbe07fcc90-9550053.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/1080x720_cmsv2_399664a4-a2ff-5bc4-98a7-92dbe07fcc90-9550053.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/1200x800_cmsv2_399664a4-a2ff-5bc4-98a7-92dbe07fcc90-9550053.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/1920x1281_cmsv2_399664a4-a2ff-5bc4-98a7-92dbe07fcc90-9550053.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungary&#x27;s Prime Minister Viktor Orban listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Evan Vucci\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Giving economic analysis, Orban justified the need for the agreements reached at the Washington meeting, saying that Budapest needs a financial shield.<\/p>\n<p>Asked by V\u00e1czi if the shield was needed because Hungary was not receiving EU funds, Orb\u00e1n said that the EU was a shield itself if it was a friend, but if not, it could be a \"thorn in the flesh.\" <\/p>\n<p>Since the Washington meeting, the Hungarian press has been speculating whether the moratorium on the lifting of sanctions is for one year or indefinitely; the US position is that it is for one year. Orb\u00e1n was evasive on this issue, despite V\u00e1czi's repeated inquiries.<\/p>\n<h2>Orban-Magyar potential debate<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, opposition leader P\u00e9ter Magyar's rally, dubbed the \"road to victory,\" had the message that he and his party are ready to govern. <\/p>\n<p>Magyar said for this to happen, they would have to start small; they were not promising a space station. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.66796875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//55//00//53//808x539_cmsv2_d8e11afd-893f-5242-aa4a-34ec43f04bbc-9550053.jpg/" alt=\"Leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party Peter Magyar delivers his speech during the party&#x27;s nationwide roadshow in Gyor, Hungary, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/384x257_cmsv2_d8e11afd-893f-5242-aa4a-34ec43f04bbc-9550053.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/640x428_cmsv2_d8e11afd-893f-5242-aa4a-34ec43f04bbc-9550053.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/750x501_cmsv2_d8e11afd-893f-5242-aa4a-34ec43f04bbc-9550053.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/828x553_cmsv2_d8e11afd-893f-5242-aa4a-34ec43f04bbc-9550053.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/1080x721_cmsv2_d8e11afd-893f-5242-aa4a-34ec43f04bbc-9550053.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/1200x802_cmsv2_d8e11afd-893f-5242-aa4a-34ec43f04bbc-9550053.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/1920x1283_cmsv2_d8e11afd-893f-5242-aa4a-34ec43f04bbc-9550053.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party Peter Magyar delivers his speech during the party&#x27;s nationwide roadshow in Gyor, Hungary, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Csaba Krizsan\/MTI - Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>His Tisza party is set to announce its 106 candidates on Monday. During the selection process, Magyar said he met with doctors, heads of institutions, artists, and scientists, as well as manual workers, meetings he described as positive. He promised that the Tisza Party would leave no one by the wayside.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier, the mayor of Gy\u0151r offered to let the two leaders debate in the city: while P\u00e9ter Magyar accepted this, Viktor Orb\u00e1n rejected it, claiming that P\u00e9ter Magyar is a politician controlled from Brussels.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//11//14//hungary-to-mount-court-challenge-to-eus-planned-phase-out-of-russian-energy-orban-says/">Hungary to mount court challenge to EU's planned phase-out of Russian energy, Orb\u00e1n says<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//11//08//trump-hands-viktor-orban-a-win-as-hungary-locks-exemption-for-russian-energy-imports/">Trump hands Viktor Orb\u00e1n a win as Hungary locks exemption for Russian energy imports<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The ruling FIDESZ party's Gy\u0151r camp said they understood Viktor Orb\u00e1n's decision not to debate P\u00e9ter Magyar. One supporter said this was justified. \"After all, he is not a competent person, because he talks in a muddle.\" <\/p>\n<p>Opposition voters in the city, however, opined that a debate between the two politicians was badly needed. As one Tisza supporter said, \"Hope dies last,\" so many of them remain hopeful that the debate will happen in the near future<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1763226805,"updatedAt":1763243103,"publishedAt":1763241439,"firstPublishedAt":1763241439,"lastPublishedAt":1763243102,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_693f747b-9d2a-5c75-b613-4cec95618e78-9550053.jpg","altText":"A few hours apart, a campaign event for the governing party and the opposition was held in Gy\u0151r.","caption":"A few hours apart, a campaign event for the governing party and the opposition was held in Gy\u0151r.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"MTI","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1622,"height":912},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_399664a4-a2ff-5bc4-98a7-92dbe07fcc90-9550053.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Evan Vucci\/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/55\/00\/53\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d8e11afd-893f-5242-aa4a-34ec43f04bbc-9550053.jpg","altText":"Leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party Peter Magyar delivers his speech during the party's nationwide roadshow in Gyor, Hungary, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.","caption":"Leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party Peter Magyar delivers his speech during the party's nationwide roadshow in Gyor, Hungary, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Csaba Krizsan\/MTI - Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":684}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3529,"urlSafeValue":"bence.k.-rAcz@ext.euronews.com","title":"Bence K.Racz","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":11286,"slug":"opposition","urlSafeValue":"opposition","title":"Opposition","titleRaw":"Opposition"},{"id":12051,"slug":"government","urlSafeValue":"government","title":"Government","titleRaw":"Government"},{"id":13530,"slug":"fidesz","urlSafeValue":"fidesz","title":"Fidesz","titleRaw":"Fidesz"},{"id":21152,"slug":"tisza","urlSafeValue":"tisza","title":"Tisza","titleRaw":"Tisza"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2844959},{"id":2841040},{"id":2836802}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9tuv7o"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/29\/42\/88\/05\/ED_PYR_2942885_20251115203746.mp4","editor":"","duration":70520,"filesizeBytes":12960121,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/29\/42\/88\/05\/SHD_PYR_2942885_20251115203746.mp4","editor":"","duration":70520,"filesizeBytes":18353075,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/29\/42\/88\/05\/FHD_PYR_2942885_20251115203746.mp4","editor":"","duration":70520,"filesizeBytes":56337997,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"hu","storyId":9549810,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/11\/15\/orban-and-opposition-rival-stage-rallies-in-gyor-as-hungary-gears-up-for-elections","lastModified":1763243102},{"id":2846652,"cid":9548851,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"HUNGARY EU RUSSIAN ENERGY","daletPyramidId":3310342,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary to mount court challenge to EU's planned phase-out of Russian energy, Orb\u00e1n says","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary to mount legal challenge to EU's phase-out of Russian energy ","titleListing2":"Hungary to mount court challenge to EU's planned phase-out of Russian energy, Orb\u00e1n says","leadin":"Hungary is heavily dependent on Russian fossil fuels and has sought exemptions and pledged to veto EU sanctions since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.","summary":"Hungary is heavily dependent on Russian fossil fuels and has sought exemptions and pledged to veto EU sanctions since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.","keySentence":"","url":"hungary-to-mount-court-challenge-to-eus-planned-phase-out-of-russian-energy-orban-says","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/11\/14\/hungary-to-mount-court-challenge-to-eus-planned-phase-out-of-russian-energy-orban-says","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary will challenge the European Union's plan to end Russian energy imports and take the case to an EU court, Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n said Friday.\n\nSpeaking on state radio, Orb\u00e1n accused the bloc of trying to sidestep his veto power over sanctions on Russian energy by instead using trade rules in its plan to phase out all imports of Russian oil and gas by the end of 2027.\n\n\"We are turning to the European Court of Justice in this matter,\" Orb\u00e1n said.\n\n\"This is a flagrant violation of European law, the rule of law and European cooperation ... They will pay a very high price for this.\"\n\nLandlocked Hungary remains heavily dependent on Russian fossil fuels and has sought exemptions and threatened to veto EU sanctions since Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.\n\nDuring a visit to Washington last week, Orb\u00e1n\u00a0secured an exemption from US sanctions\u00a0on two Russian energy companies following a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.\n\nDuring a press briefing with Hungarian media following his talks with Trump, Orb\u00e1n said Hungary had \"been granted a complete exemption from sanctions\" on Russian gas delivered via the TurkStream pipeline and oil from the Druzhba pipeline.\n\n\"We asked the president to lift the sanctions,\" said Orb\u00e1n. \"We agreed and the president decided, and he said that the sanctions will not be applied to these two pipelines.\"\n\nHungary agreed to buy US liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of the discussions, the US State Department said, noting contracts were expected to be worth about $600 million (\u20ac518.6 million).\n\nUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the waiver, which ensures Russian oil and gas will continue to flow to Hungary, will last one year.\n\nOn Friday, Orb\u00e1n credited his close personal relationship with Trump for receiving the exemption and said it would remain in place as long as both he and the president remain in office.\n\nOrb\u00e1n has called continued access to Russian energy\u00a0\"vital\" for his country\u00a0and warned that cutting it off would result in an economic collapse, though some critics\u00a0dispute that claim.\n\nThe Hungarian leader said on Friday he was \"also exploring other means of a non-legal nature\" to avoid falling under the EU's planned Russian energy phase-out, but declined to say what they were.\n\nPhasing out Russian energy\u00a0\n\nIn early May, the EU set 2027 as the deadline for all 27 member states to phase out all remaining purchases of Russian energy, including liquefied natural gas (LNG).\n\nThe phase-out will take place gradually, beginning with a ban on new and short-term contracts by the end of 2025.\n\nIn the second stage, long-term contracts, which account for two-thirds of Russian gas, will be terminated by the end of 2027.\n\nFurther restrictions will also be introduced to crack down on the shadow fleet that covertly transports Russian oil and stop imports of Russian uranium and other nuclear materials.\n\nEach member state will be asked to draft a national plan detailing how they intend to remove Russian gas, nuclear and oil from their energy mix.\n\nIn 2024, the EU spent an estimated \u20ac23 billion on Russian fossil fuels, exceeding the military support provided to Ukraine.\u00a0\n\nThis imbalance has been a long-standing source of friction among member states, which, despite constant pleas from Kyiv, have never managed to reach consensus and entirely phase out Russian energy.\n\nEarlier this year, 10 EU countries \u2013 the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Sweden \u2013 signed a joint letter demanding a complete ban on Russian gas, including LNG imports.\n\n\"Russia's ability to sustain its war efforts is deeply intertwined with its energy revenues,\" they wrote.\n\nHungary and Slovakia in contrast closed ranks to oppose penalties, arguing that doing so would imperil their national economies and the EU's competitiveness.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary will challenge the European Union's plan to end Russian energy imports and take the case to an EU court, Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n said Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking on state radio, Orb\u00e1n accused the bloc of trying to sidestep his veto power over sanctions on Russian energy by instead using trade rules in its plan to phase out all imports of Russian oil and gas by the end of 2027.<\/p>\n<p>\"We are turning to the European Court of Justice in this matter,\" Orb\u00e1n said.<\/p>\n<p>\"This is a flagrant violation of European law, the rule of law and European cooperation ... They will pay a very high price for this.\"<\/p>\n<p>Landlocked Hungary remains heavily dependent on Russian fossil fuels and has sought exemptions and threatened to veto EU sanctions since Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>During a visit to Washington last week, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//11//08//orban-says-trump-has-agreed-to-grant-hungary-an-exemption-from-sanctions-on-russian-energy/">Orb/u00e1n secured an exemption from US sanctions<\/a> on two Russian energy companies following a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//54//88//51//808x539_cmsv2_716afd90-880b-5257-96e8-0cc6761b708f-9548851.jpg/" alt=\"Hungary&#x27;s Prime Minister Viktor Orb&#xE1;n and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/384x256_cmsv2_716afd90-880b-5257-96e8-0cc6761b708f-9548851.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/640x427_cmsv2_716afd90-880b-5257-96e8-0cc6761b708f-9548851.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/750x500_cmsv2_716afd90-880b-5257-96e8-0cc6761b708f-9548851.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/828x552_cmsv2_716afd90-880b-5257-96e8-0cc6761b708f-9548851.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/1080x720_cmsv2_716afd90-880b-5257-96e8-0cc6761b708f-9548851.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/1200x800_cmsv2_716afd90-880b-5257-96e8-0cc6761b708f-9548851.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/1920x1280_cmsv2_716afd90-880b-5257-96e8-0cc6761b708f-9548851.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungary&#x27;s Prime Minister Viktor Orb&#xE1;n and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>During a press briefing with Hungarian media following his talks with Trump, Orb\u00e1n said Hungary had \"been granted a complete exemption from sanctions\" on Russian gas delivered via the TurkStream pipeline and oil from the Druzhba pipeline.<\/p>\n<p>\"We asked the president to lift the sanctions,\" said Orb\u00e1n. \"We agreed and the president decided, and he said that the sanctions will not be applied to these two pipelines.\"<\/p>\n<p>Hungary agreed to buy US liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of the discussions, the US State Department said, noting contracts were expected to be worth about $600 million (\u20ac518.6 million).<\/p>\n<p>US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the waiver, which ensures Russian oil and gas will continue to flow to Hungary, will last one year.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, Orb\u00e1n credited his close personal relationship with Trump for receiving the exemption and said it would remain in place as long as both he and the president remain in office.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6035\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//54//88//51//808x487_cmsv2_fee15aee-0c01-5dd3-be8d-07b99875076b-9548851.jpg/" alt=\"A man walks by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, 5 October, 2015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/384x232_cmsv2_fee15aee-0c01-5dd3-be8d-07b99875076b-9548851.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/640x386_cmsv2_fee15aee-0c01-5dd3-be8d-07b99875076b-9548851.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/750x453_cmsv2_fee15aee-0c01-5dd3-be8d-07b99875076b-9548851.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/828x500_cmsv2_fee15aee-0c01-5dd3-be8d-07b99875076b-9548851.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/1080x652_cmsv2_fee15aee-0c01-5dd3-be8d-07b99875076b-9548851.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/1200x724_cmsv2_fee15aee-0c01-5dd3-be8d-07b99875076b-9548851.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/1920x1159_cmsv2_fee15aee-0c01-5dd3-be8d-07b99875076b-9548851.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A man walks by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, 5 October, 2015<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Orb\u00e1n has called continued access to Russian energy \"vital\" for his country and warned that cutting it off would result in an economic collapse, though some critics dispute that claim.<\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian leader said on Friday he was \"also exploring other means of a non-legal nature\" to avoid falling under the EU's planned Russian energy phase-out, but declined to say what they were.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Phasing out Russian energy<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In early May, the EU set 2027 as the deadline for all 27 member states to phase out all remaining purchases of Russian energy, including liquefied natural gas (LNG).<\/p>\n<p>The phase-out will take place gradually, beginning with a ban on new and short-term contracts by the end of 2025.<\/p>\n<p>In the second stage, long-term contracts, which account for two-thirds of Russian gas, will be terminated by the end of 2027.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//54//88//51//808x539_cmsv2_a3e4c4be-95ab-53a0-a0fd-efc6dc7618e7-9548851.jpg/" alt=\"Rescuers work on the scene of a building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, 14 November, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/384x256_cmsv2_a3e4c4be-95ab-53a0-a0fd-efc6dc7618e7-9548851.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/640x427_cmsv2_a3e4c4be-95ab-53a0-a0fd-efc6dc7618e7-9548851.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/750x500_cmsv2_a3e4c4be-95ab-53a0-a0fd-efc6dc7618e7-9548851.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/828x552_cmsv2_a3e4c4be-95ab-53a0-a0fd-efc6dc7618e7-9548851.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/1080x720_cmsv2_a3e4c4be-95ab-53a0-a0fd-efc6dc7618e7-9548851.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/1200x800_cmsv2_a3e4c4be-95ab-53a0-a0fd-efc6dc7618e7-9548851.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/1920x1280_cmsv2_a3e4c4be-95ab-53a0-a0fd-efc6dc7618e7-9548851.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Rescuers work on the scene of a building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, 14 November, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Further restrictions will also be introduced to crack down on the shadow fleet that covertly transports Russian oil and stop imports of Russian uranium and other nuclear materials.<\/p>\n<p>Each member state will be asked to draft a national plan detailing how they intend to remove Russian gas, nuclear and oil from their energy mix.<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, the EU spent an estimated \u20ac23 billion on Russian fossil fuels, exceeding the military support provided to Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>This imbalance has been a long-standing source of friction among member states, which, despite constant pleas from Kyiv, have never managed to reach consensus and entirely phase out Russian energy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//11//14//massive-russian-drone-and-missile-attack-injures-16-and-causes-fires-across-ukrainian-capi/">At least six killed in 'deliberate' Russian attack on Ukrainian capital causing 'maximum harm'<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//11//13//zelenskyy-meets-soldiers-on-zaporizhzhia-frontline-as-fighting-with-russia-intensifies/">Zelenskyy meets soldiers on Zaporizhzhia frontline as fighting with Russia intensifies<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Earlier this year, 10 EU countries \u2013 the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Sweden \u2013 signed a joint letter demanding a complete ban on Russian gas, including LNG imports.<\/p>\n<p>\"Russia's ability to sustain its war efforts is deeply intertwined with its energy revenues,\" they wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary and Slovakia in contrast closed ranks to oppose penalties, arguing that doing so would imperil their national economies and the EU's competitiveness.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1763123486,"updatedAt":1763133217,"publishedAt":1763127163,"firstPublishedAt":1763127163,"lastPublishedAt":1763128027,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6ad96556-cb71-5ec0-b0b5-3d843c94c863-9548851.jpg","altText":"Reservoirs of Russian state-controlled oil giant OAO Rosneft at the Priobskoye oil field near Nefteyugansk, 5 April, 2006","caption":"Reservoirs of Russian state-controlled oil giant OAO Rosneft at the Priobskoye oil field near Nefteyugansk, 5 April, 2006","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Misha Japaridze\/Copyright 2006 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1918,"height":1079},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a3e4c4be-95ab-53a0-a0fd-efc6dc7618e7-9548851.jpg","altText":"Rescuers work on the scene of a building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, 14 November, 2025","caption":"Rescuers work on the scene of a building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, 14 November, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fee15aee-0c01-5dd3-be8d-07b99875076b-9548851.jpg","altText":"A man walks by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, 5 October, 2015","caption":"A man walks by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, 5 October, 2015","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1207},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/88\/51\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_716afd90-880b-5257-96e8-0cc6761b708f-9548851.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/54\/11\/83\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a12490cc-cdbf-55ab-8d5b-ce71c7d3ca04-9541183.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 7 November, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":26692,"slug":"war-in-ukraine","urlSafeValue":"war-in-ukraine","title":"War in Ukraine","titleRaw":"War in 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News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":{"id":1764,"urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/11\/14\/hungary-to-mount-court-challenge-to-eus-planned-phase-out-of-russian-energy-orban-says","lastModified":1763128027},{"id":2844206,"cid":9537843,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"TRUMP ORB\u00c1N PREVIEW ","daletPyramidId":3214264,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Trump-Orb\u00e1n: Russian oil imports and war in Ukraine on the table in 'high-stakes' Washington visit","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Trump-Orb\u00e1n meet: Russian oil imports and war in Ukraine to feature","titleListing2":"Hungarian leader arrives in Washington to meet the US President in \"high-stakes\" visit where Budapest looks to ease impact of sanctions of Russian energy. ","leadin":"The two leaders are politically aligned, but Washington has criticised Hungary for importing Russian energy even as the rest of Europe unplugs from Moscow. Visit could see Hungary could strike an LNG deal with Trump.","summary":"The two leaders are politically aligned, but Washington has criticised Hungary for importing Russian energy even as the rest of Europe unplugs from Moscow. Visit could see Hungary could strike an LNG deal with Trump.","keySentence":"","url":"trump-orban-russian-oil-imports-ukraine-war-on-the-table-in-high-risk-visit-to-washington","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/11\/07\/trump-orban-russian-oil-imports-ukraine-war-on-the-table-in-high-risk-visit-to-washington","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n is leading a 180-strong delegation to visit President Donald Trump in Washington in a meeting that will put the spotlight on their friendship, but also bring ongoing tensions between the two to the forefront.\n\nOrb\u00e1n arrived in Washington on Thursday on a leased aircraft from Hungary's low-cost carrier Wizz Air as he heralded a special bond between the two countries in a \"gilded age\" for their bilateral relation.\n\nThe Hungarian delegation is staying at Blair House, the official state guest house, which is directly next to the White House.\n\nBefore the trip, Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said the US and Hungary worked hard in the last weeks preparing \"a large economic and energy cooperation package that would greatly contribute to guaranteeing Hungary's long-term energy security.\"\n\nOne of the main topics during the visit will be Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Orb\u00e1n was due to host a summit in Budapest between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, before Washington ultimately called it off on the assumption Moscow was not ready for serious peace talks.\n\nInstead, the US issued the most severe energy sanctions against Russian energy companies since Moscow's all-out war against Ukraine started in early 2022.\n\nTensions over Russian oil imports\n\nUS officials have been calling on Hungary to cut Russian oil imports, but Budapest has consistently refused, citing national security concerns.\n\nOrb\u00e1n suggested after the sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft were imposed last month that he would ask the US President for an opt-out. Trump has not indicated he is prepared to give him one.\n\n\"He has asked for an exemption, but we haven't granted one. He is a friend of mine,\" Trump told reporters over the weekend on Air Force One.\n\nEarlier this month, US NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker told Fox News that Hungary needs to present a plan to reduce Russian oil imports, and the US is ready to assist Budapest.\n\nDaniel Heged\u0171s, regional director at the German Marshall Fund of the US, told Euronews that Orb\u00e1n's primary goal is now to get an exemption from the secondary tariffs imposed on Russian energy.\n\nBut it is not certain that he will get it, and it poses a domestic risk for Orb\u00e1n.\n\n\"This meeting was requested by the Hungarians, but it is a high-risk meeting nonetheless because in the Hungarian domestic narrative, this mission has become tied to these exemptions,\" Heged\u0171s told Euronews.\n\nStill, the Trump administration will not allow Orb\u00e1n to leave these negotiations looking weaker, he argued, even if Hungary's energy policy contradicts the US government's wishes.\n\n\"Trump was crystal clear about that he wishes the re-election of the Hungarian prime minister. And against that background, they are aware that they should not weaken him. I think there will be at least a small symbolic victory provided for Orban,\" Heged\u0171s said.\n\nHungary might offer deals to diffuse tensions over Russian oil\n\nTo diffuse the tensions, Hungary may offer trade and defence deals. One option could be to step up purchases of liquified natural gas from the US, in line with the EU.\n\n\"I can imagine that they will announce additional purchase of LNG to guarantee the energy security of Hungary,\" Heged\u0171s said.\n\nBudapest and Washington have also been negotiating for years over the purchase of small nuclear reactors. The US's participation in the development of the Paks nuclear site could also be on the agenda, and the meeting could facilitate a breakthrough.\n\nAccording to the Hungarian edition of Radio Free Europe, a defence deal is also on the cards. While details are not known, the aim is \"to have a cooperation to increase the capacities of the Hungarian army, possibly through joint ventures.\"\n\nExperts call on Trump to help Ukraine's EU path\n\nTrump and Orb\u00e1n will also talk about the war in Ukraine.\n\nHungary has repeatedly said it stands ready to host a summit in Budapest, although the US has given no indication it is prepared to revive the idea.\n\nAssociate director at the Atlantic Council\u2019s Europe Center James Batchik argued that the cancellation of the Budapest summit, coupled with the potentially disastrous effects from the new US energy sanctions on Russia, has put Orb\u00e1n in a tenuous position.\n\nThe US could use its leverage over Budapest to press Orb\u00e1n to remove his veto on Ukraine's bid to join the European Union.\n\nIn exchange for any sanctions relief or deals, Batchik believes that the White House visit \"would be the perfect opportunity to end Budapest's obstruction to Ukraine's EU accession,\" he said before the summit.\n\nHungary is blocking the opening of the negotiating chapters of Ukraine with the European Union on the basis that Kyiv is still at war and represents a security danger for the EU.\n\nThe majority of European leaders are in favour of opening the negotiations, and the European Commission suggested this week that Ukraine is technically ready to do so.\n\nUS shuts down Hungarian service of Radio Free Europe\n\nOn Thursday, as the Hungarian delegation travelled to Washington, Kari Lake, a staunch Trump supporter and acting CEO of the United States Agency for Global Media, announced that it would stop funding Szabad Europa, the Hungarian-language service of Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty.\n\nThe funding cut could precipitate the closure of Szabad Europa, one of the few critical outlets still operating in Hungary.\n\n\"This programming has undermined President Trump\u2019s foreign policy by opposing the duly elected Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban,\" Lake wrote in a letter sent to Congress members.\n\nA member of Orb\u00e1n's Fidesz Party, Andr\u00e1s L\u00e1szl\u00f3, said Szabad Europa deserved to be shut down as it worked \"against the American-Hungarian friendship\" in a post on social media.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n is leading a 180-strong delegation to visit President Donald Trump in Washington in a meeting that will put the spotlight on their friendship, but also bring ongoing tensions between the two to the forefront. <\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n arrived in Washington on Thursday on a leased aircraft from Hungary's low-cost carrier Wizz Air as he heralded a special bond between the two countries in a \"gilded age\" for their bilateral relation. <\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian delegation is staying at Blair House, the official state guest house, which is directly next to the White House. <\/p>\n<p>Before the trip, Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said the US and Hungary worked hard in the last weeks preparing \"a large economic and energy cooperation package that would greatly contribute to guaranteeing Hungary's long-term energy security.\" <\/p>\n<p>One of the main topics during the visit will be Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Orb\u00e1n was due to host a summit in Budapest between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, before Washington ultimately called it off on the assumption Moscow was not ready for serious peace talks. <\/p>\n<p>Instead, the US issued the most severe energy sanctions against Russian energy companies since Moscow's all-out war against Ukraine started in early 2022.<\/p>\n<h2>Tensions over Russian oil imports<\/h2>\n<p>US officials have been calling on Hungary to cut Russian oil imports, but Budapest has consistently refused, citing national security concerns. <\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n suggested after the sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft were imposed last month that he would ask the US President for an opt-out. Trump has not indicated he is prepared to give him one. <\/p>\n<p>\"He has asked for an exemption, but we haven't granted one. He is a friend of mine,\" Trump told reporters over the weekend on Air Force One. <\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, US NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker told Fox News that Hungary needs to present a plan to reduce Russian oil imports, and the US is ready to assist Budapest. <\/p>\n<p>Daniel Heged\u0171s, regional director at the German Marshall Fund of the US, told Euronews that Orb\u00e1n's primary goal is now to get an exemption from the secondary tariffs imposed on Russian energy. <\/p>\n<p>But it is not certain that he will get it, and it poses a domestic risk for Orb\u00e1n. <\/p>\n<p>\"This meeting was requested by the Hungarians, but it is a high-risk meeting nonetheless because in the Hungarian domestic narrative, this mission has become tied to these exemptions,\" Heged\u0171s told Euronews. <\/p>\n<p>Still, the Trump administration will not allow Orb\u00e1n to leave these negotiations looking weaker, he argued, even if Hungary's energy policy contradicts the US government's wishes. <\/p>\n<p>\"Trump was crystal clear about that he wishes the re-election of the Hungarian prime minister. And against that background, they are aware that they should not weaken him. I think there will be at least a small symbolic victory provided for Orban,\" Heged\u0171s said.<\/p>\n<h2>Hungary might offer deals to diffuse tensions over Russian oil<\/h2>\n<p>To diffuse the tensions, Hungary may offer trade and defence deals. One option could be to step up purchases of liquified natural gas from the US, in line with the EU.<\/p>\n<p>\"I can imagine that they will announce additional purchase of LNG to guarantee the energy security of Hungary,\" Heged\u0171s said. <\/p>\n<p>Budapest and Washington have also been negotiating for years over the purchase of small nuclear reactors. The US's participation in the development of the Paks nuclear site could also be on the agenda, and the meeting could facilitate a breakthrough. <\/p>\n<p>According to the Hungarian edition of Radio Free Europe, a defence deal is also on the cards. While details are not known, the aim is \"to have a cooperation to increase the capacities of the Hungarian army, possibly through joint ventures.\" <\/p>\n<h2>Experts call on Trump to help Ukraine's EU path<\/h2>\n<p>Trump and Orb\u00e1n will also talk about the war in Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>Hungary has repeatedly said it stands ready to host a summit in Budapest, although the US has given no indication it is prepared to revive the idea. <\/p>\n<p>Associate director at the Atlantic Council\u2019s Europe Center James Batchik argued that the cancellation of the Budapest summit, coupled with the potentially disastrous effects from the new US energy sanctions on Russia, has put Orb\u00e1n in a tenuous position.<\/p>\n<p>The US could use its leverage over Budapest to press Orb\u00e1n to remove his veto on Ukraine's bid to join the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>In exchange for any sanctions relief or deals, Batchik believes that the White House visit \"would be the perfect opportunity to end Budapest's obstruction to Ukraine's EU accession,\" he said before the summit.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary is blocking the opening of the negotiating chapters of Ukraine with the European Union on the basis that Kyiv is still at war and represents a security danger for the EU. <\/p>\n<p>The majority of European leaders are in favour of opening the negotiations, and the European Commission suggested this week that Ukraine is technically ready to do so. <\/p>\n<h2>US shuts down Hungarian service of Radio Free Europe<\/h2>\n<p>On Thursday, as the Hungarian delegation travelled to Washington, Kari Lake, a staunch Trump supporter and acting CEO of the United States Agency for Global Media, announced that it would stop funding Szabad Europa, the Hungarian-language service of Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty. <\/p>\n<p>The funding cut could precipitate the closure of Szabad Europa, one of the few critical outlets still operating in Hungary.<\/p>\n<p>\"This programming has undermined President Trump\u2019s foreign policy by opposing the duly elected Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban,\" Lake wrote in a letter sent to Congress members. <\/p>\n<p>A member of Orb\u00e1n's Fidesz Party, Andr\u00e1s L\u00e1szl\u00f3, said Szabad Europa deserved to be shut down as it worked \"against the American-Hungarian friendship\" in a post on social media. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1762350229,"updatedAt":1762522325,"publishedAt":1762497057,"firstPublishedAt":1762457457,"lastPublishedAt":1762522324,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/53\/78\/43\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5b518317-6227-57b2-aa4b-58be6a2e0ccb-9537843.jpg","altText":"A pro-government demonstrator holds a sign with drawings of U.S. President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during celebrations marking the 69th annivers","caption":"A pro-government demonstrator holds a sign with drawings of U.S. President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during celebrations marking the 69th annivers","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1332}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2833900},{"id":2841888}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/11\/07\/trump-orban-russian-oil-imports-ukraine-war-on-the-table-in-high-risk-visit-to-washington","lastModified":1762522324},{"id":2844123,"cid":9537459,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ORB\u00c1N REAX ON ZELENSKYY","daletPyramidId":3211176,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"'Ukraine does not defend Hungary', Orban says in Zelenskyy rebuff","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"'Ukraine does not defend Hungary', Orban says in Zelenskyy rebuff","titleListing2":"Orb\u00e1n rebuffs Zelenskyy's Euronews interview statements: '","leadin":"The war of words between Ukraine and Hungary continued this week following an interview on Euronews with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.","summary":"The war of words between Ukraine and Hungary continued this week following an interview on Euronews with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.","keySentence":"","url":"ukraine-does-not-defend-hungary-orban-says-in-zelenskyy-rebuff","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/11\/05\/ukraine-does-not-defend-hungary-orban-says-in-zelenskyy-rebuff","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n has dismissed accusations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he is showing \u201cspecific support for Putin\u201d by obstructing Ukraine\u2019s EU membership talks.\n\nIn an interview with Euronews on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said he had no intention of offering concessions to Budapest, arguing that Hungary should instead support Ukraine\u2019s defence of Europe.\n\n\"I don't think that I have to offer something to Viktor Orb\u00e1n,\" Zelenskyy said.\n\n\"I think that Viktor Orb\u00e1n has to offer something for Ukraine, which is protecting the whole Europe from Russia, and even now, during this war, we did not get any support from him, support for our vision of life,\" he added.\n\nOrb\u00e1n dismissed the comments in a statement released shortly after the Euronews interview.\n\n\u201cI must reject the suggestion that Hungary owes Ukraine anything. Ukraine does not defend Hungary from anyone or anything. We did not ask for such a thing, and we never will. Hungary\u2019s security is guaranteed by our national defence capabilities and by NATO, of which Ukraine is fortunately not a member,\u201d Orb\u00e1n said.\n\nHe noted that Hungary has provided approximately \u20ac200 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and continues to supply gas and electricity to the war-torn country.\n\nThe Prime Minister also reiterated Hungary\u2019s opposition to Ukraine\u2019s EU membership bid.\n\n\u201cHungary does not and will not support Ukraine\u2019s accession to the European Union, because it would bring the war into Europe and take the money of Hungarians to Ukraine,\u201d Orb\u00e1n said, adding that he would prefer to see Ukraine as a strategic partner of the EU rather than a full member.\n\nHungary continues to block the opening of EU accession chapters with Ukraine, citing security and economic concerns. Earlier this year, the Hungarian government held a non-binding national consultation on Ukraine\u2019s membership, in which 95% of respondents opposed the idea.\n\nInstead, he says he is in favour of a \"strategic partnership\" with Ukraine.\n\nTensions between Hungary and Ukraine have escalated over energy security since the summer following Ukrainian strikes on Russia\u2019s Druzhba pipeline that temporarily halted oil deliveries to Hungary on several occasions.\n\nBudapest decried the strikes as \u201coutrageous and unacceptable\u201d while Kyiv accused Hungary of not doing enough to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels and therefore funding part of the country's war machine.\n\nThis point should be one addressed between Orban and US President Donald Trump when they meet on Friday in the US.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n has dismissed accusations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he is showing \u201cspecific support for Putin\u201d by obstructing Ukraine\u2019s EU membership talks.<\/p>\n<p>In an interview with Euronews on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said he had no intention of offering concessions to Budapest, arguing that Hungary should instead support Ukraine\u2019s defence of Europe.<\/p>\n<p>\"I don't think that I have to offer something to Viktor Orb\u00e1n,\"<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//11//04//orbans-veto-on-ukraines-eu-bid-provides-specific-support-to-putin-zelenskyy-says/"> <strong>Zelenskyy said<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think that Viktor Orb\u00e1n has to offer something for Ukraine, which is protecting the whole Europe from Russia, and even now, during this war, we did not get any support from him, support for our vision of life,\" he added.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n dismissed the comments in a statement released shortly after the Euronews interview. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI must reject the suggestion that Hungary owes Ukraine anything. Ukraine does not defend Hungary from anyone or anything. We did not ask for such a thing, and we never will. Hungary\u2019s security is guaranteed by our national defence capabilities and by NATO, of which Ukraine is fortunately not a member,\u201d Orb\u00e1n said.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that Hungary has provided approximately \u20ac200 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and continues to supply gas and electricity to the war-torn country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//11//04//vetoes-reforms-heres-what-to-remember-from-leaders-at-euronews-enlargement-summit/">Vetoes, reforms: Here's what to remember from leaders at Euronews' Enlargement summit<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//11//04//exclusive-zelenskyy-says-our-future-is-in-the-european-union/">Exclusive: Zelenskyy says 'Ukraine's future is in the European Union'<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Prime Minister also reiterated Hungary\u2019s opposition to Ukraine\u2019s EU membership bid.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHungary does not and will not support Ukraine\u2019s accession to the European Union, because it would bring the war into Europe and take the money of Hungarians to Ukraine,\u201d Orb\u00e1n said, adding that he would prefer to see Ukraine as a strategic partner of the EU rather than a full member.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary continues to block the opening of EU accession chapters with Ukraine, citing security and economic concerns. Earlier this year, the Hungarian government held a non-binding national consultation on Ukraine\u2019s membership, in which 95% of respondents opposed the idea.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, he says he is in favour of a \"strategic partnership\" with Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine have escalated over energy security since the summer following <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//08//25//hungary-and-slovakia-in-spat-with-ukraine-over-bombed-druzhba-oil-pipeline/">Ukrainian strikes on Russia\u2019s Druzhba pipeline<\/strong> <\/a>that temporarily halted oil deliveries to Hungary on several occasions.<\/p>\n<p>Budapest decried the strikes as \u201coutrageous and unacceptable\u201d while Kyiv accused Hungary of not doing enough to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels and therefore funding part of the country's war machine. <\/p>\n<p>This point should be one addressed between Orban and US President Donald Trump when they meet on Friday in the US. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1762335047,"updatedAt":1762340599,"publishedAt":1762339801,"firstPublishedAt":1762339801,"lastPublishedAt":1762339801,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/49\/31\/17\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8a62d268-f5d6-50ac-bb38-a9b679e32114-9493117.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives at an informal summit in the Danish parliament at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (Thomas Traasdahl","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives at an informal summit in the Danish parliament at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (Thomas Traasdahl","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":30582,"slug":"euronews-enlargement-summit","urlSafeValue":"euronews-enlargement-summit","title":"Euronews\u2019 EU Enlargement Summit","titleRaw":"Euronews\u2019 EU Enlargement Summit"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":19400,"slug":"volodymyr-zelensky","urlSafeValue":"volodymyr-zelensky","title":"Volodymyr Zelenskyy","titleRaw":"Volodymyr Zelenskyy"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2850002},{"id":2850068},{"id":2850125}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/11\/05\/ukraine-does-not-defend-hungary-orban-says-in-zelenskyy-rebuff","lastModified":1762339801},{"id":2842417,"cid":9530821,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"IMMERSIVE CIRQUE DANSE SHOW","daletPyramidId":3155666,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Walk My World: No seating, no stage, new Budapest show reimagines theatre and circus experience ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Walk My World: New Budapest shows reinvents theatre and circus show ","titleListing2":"Recirquel: a monumental movement theatre experiment that sucks you in","leadin":"With no two viewers seeing the same thing, Hungarian theatre firm Recirquel says its latest production, Walk My World, reimagines the contemporary circus and dance theatre experience. Rita Konya went behind the scenes of the show to find out more.","summary":"With no two viewers seeing the same thing, Hungarian theatre firm Recirquel says its latest production, Walk My World, reimagines the contemporary circus and dance theatre experience. Rita Konya went behind the scenes of the show to find out more.","keySentence":"","url":"walk-my-world-no-seating-no-stage-new-budapest-show-reimagines-theatre-and-circus-experien","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2025\/11\/03\/walk-my-world-no-seating-no-stage-new-budapest-show-reimagines-theatre-and-circus-experien","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"'Walk My World' is no ordinary, traditional theatre production.\n\nFirst of all, the piece is set in a 6,000 sq metre space rustic space in Mille\u00e1nris that gives people attending the freedom to roam among the world-class artists and dancers, and pick a character to pursue.\n\nThe audience is immersed in a mythological world where they can follow the fate of gods and mortals through dozens of installation spaces in a Hollywood movie set-piece existence.\n\nBecause no two viewers will see the same thing from the same perspective in the same evening, there is no single viewing experience.\n\n\"Here the viewer is the director. He can follow whoever he wants. There are scenes where we put the audience together, but basically most of the scenes are completely free. You can wander around this huge labyrinth as you please,\" explained director-choreographer Bence V\u00e1gi, who founded the company in 2012 and has since gained international fame.\n\nIn this multi-sensory production, the story of Dido and Aneas, an ancient mythological tale, comes to life in the language of new circus and dance, as Recirquel has done in the past. The creation of one of Europe's most pioneering theatrical experience has taken five years of preparation and more than six months of rehearsals.\n\n\"The most difficult part is not the proximity of the audience, but the fact that because the performance is long enough, the performer can't switch off for a moment because everything is visible,\" said Zita Horv\u00e1th, the dancer who plays Dido.\n\nThe experience of invisible observation is reinforced by the fact that members of the audience wear masks during the performance. Until now, a performance of similar scale and concept could only be seen in the world's leading art centres, in London or New York.\n\nAfter its premiere on November 5, 2025, Walk My World will be performed five times a week as a permanent show in Budapest, at the Millen\u00e1ris Great Hall.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>'Walk My World' is no ordinary, traditional theatre production.<\/p>\n<p>First of all, the piece is set in a 6,000 sq metre space rustic space in Mille\u00e1nris that gives people attending the freedom to roam among the world-class artists and dancers, and pick a character to pursue. <\/p>\n<p>The audience is immersed in a mythological world where they can follow the fate of gods and mortals through dozens of installation spaces in a Hollywood movie set-piece existence. <\/p>\n<p>Because no two viewers will see the same thing from the same perspective in the same evening, there is no single viewing experience.<\/p>\n<p>\"Here the viewer is the director. He can follow whoever he wants. There are scenes where we put the audience together, but basically most of the scenes are completely free. You can wander around this huge labyrinth as you please,\" explained director-choreographer Bence V\u00e1gi, who founded the company in 2012 and has since gained international fame.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-extended widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//52//97//88//1280x853_cmsv2_12c23783-cf74-5b76-b548-2f0ce1bee277-9529788.jpg/" alt=\"Recirquel: Walk My World \" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/97\/88\/384x256_cmsv2_12c23783-cf74-5b76-b548-2f0ce1bee277-9529788.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/97\/88\/640x427_cmsv2_12c23783-cf74-5b76-b548-2f0ce1bee277-9529788.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/97\/88\/750x500_cmsv2_12c23783-cf74-5b76-b548-2f0ce1bee277-9529788.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/97\/88\/828x552_cmsv2_12c23783-cf74-5b76-b548-2f0ce1bee277-9529788.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/97\/88\/1080x720_cmsv2_12c23783-cf74-5b76-b548-2f0ce1bee277-9529788.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/97\/88\/1200x800_cmsv2_12c23783-cf74-5b76-b548-2f0ce1bee277-9529788.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/97\/88\/1920x1280_cmsv2_12c23783-cf74-5b76-b548-2f0ce1bee277-9529788.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Recirquel: Walk My World <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Fot&#xF3;: Hirling B&#xE1;lint<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In this multi-sensory production, the story of Dido and Aneas, an ancient mythological tale, comes to life in the language of new circus and dance, as Recirquel has done in the past. The creation of one of Europe's most pioneering theatrical experience has taken five years of preparation and more than six months of rehearsals.<\/p>\n<p>\"The most difficult part is not the proximity of the audience, but the fact that because the performance is long enough, the performer can't switch off for a moment because everything is visible,\" said Zita Horv\u00e1th, the dancer who plays Dido.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-youtube-embed\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//embed//Ul0acpUPqr0/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The experience of invisible observation is reinforced by the fact that members of the audience wear masks during the performance. Until now, a performance of similar scale and concept could only be seen in the world's leading art centres, in London or New York.<\/p>\n<p>After its premiere on November 5, 2025, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////walkmyworldshow.hu//?gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=22493062479&gbraid=0AAAAA-lmKUefqpfJqNyiaQ98ogfKeIZJP&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9obIBhCAARIsAGHm1mSc26Ns9phMx892o8R8s3xrelJJwUugl8PuI4oNuTxHxv4P8gebs0QaAtkXEALw%5FwcB\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><em>Walk My World<\/em> <\/a>will be performed five times a week as a permanent show in Budapest, at the Millen\u00e1ris Great Hall.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1761817097,"updatedAt":1762154094,"publishedAt":1762154070,"firstPublishedAt":1762154070,"lastPublishedAt":1762154093,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/97\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_302ead1a-d94b-5967-abba-18bd035b5cbe-9529788.jpg","altText":"Recirquel: Walk My World ","caption":"Recirquel: Walk My World ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Fot\u00f3: Hirling B\u00e1lint","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":602,"urlSafeValue":"konya","title":"Rita Konya","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":4145,"slug":"dance","urlSafeValue":"dance","title":"Dance","titleRaw":"Dance"},{"id":4517,"slug":"circus","urlSafeValue":"circus","title":"Circus","titleRaw":"Circus"},{"id":15436,"slug":"performance-art","urlSafeValue":"performance-art","title":"Performance art","titleRaw":"Performance art"},{"id":12339,"slug":"theatre","urlSafeValue":"theatre","title":"Theatre","titleRaw":"Theatre"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"youtube","count":1}],"related":[{"id":343816},{"id":2747544},{"id":2375256}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":{"id":1764,"urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"hu","storyId":9529788,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2025\/11\/03\/walk-my-world-no-seating-no-stage-new-budapest-show-reimagines-theatre-and-circus-experien","lastModified":1762154093},{"id":2842038,"cid":9528006,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"HUNGARY ENLARGEMENT EXPLAINER ","daletPyramidId":3129218,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary's complicated enlargement policy: No to Ukraine, yes to the Western Balkans ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary's enlargement policy: No to Ukraine, yes to Western Balkans","titleListing2":"While Hungary campaigns against Ukraine's bid to join the EU pledging to veto it, Budapest supports the Balkan enlargement passionately ","leadin":"Hungary opposes Ukraine's accession to the EU, threatening a veto, but Budapest is not against EU enlargement entirely: Prime Minister Orb\u00e1n backs the Western Balkans and supports Moldova and Georgia in a complex balancing act.","summary":"Hungary opposes Ukraine's accession to the EU, threatening a veto, but Budapest is not against EU enlargement entirely: Prime Minister Orb\u00e1n backs the Western Balkans and supports Moldova and Georgia in a complex balancing act.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarys-complicated-enlargement-policy-no-to-ukraine-yes-to-the-western-balkans","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/30\/hungarys-complicated-enlargement-policy-no-to-ukraine-yes-to-the-western-balkans","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary is known in the European Union for its opposition to Ukraine's EU membership bid, its veto pledge threatening the opening of negotiation chapters for Kyiv.\n\nYet the Hungarian stance on enlargement represents a nuanced balancing act, as Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n strongly supports the efforts of the Western Balkan countries to join the EU, as well as those of Moldova and Georgia.\n\nThe Hungarian government has made it clear that Russia is responsible for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has called for an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations.\n\nHungary provides humanitarian aid and electricity to Ukraine, but opposes any financial or military support to Kyiv.\n\nThe argument from Budapest is that further European support will only prolong the war and lead to military escalation, endangering Europe's peace.\n\nHungary has come under scrutiny from some of its European partners for maintaining political and trade ties with Russia through energy purchases.\n\nWhy is Hungary so set against Ukraine's EU accession?\n\nHungary is the loudest opponent of Ukraine's EU bid within the bloc, arguing that Ukraine's joining the EU would be negative for Europe and Hungary in particular.\n\nOn this, Budapest is in the minority among European leaders who opened negotiations with Ukraine in 2023, in a vote in which Orb\u00e1n was notably absent.\n\nThe Hungarian government initiated a so-called national consultation this year, a non-binding domestic poll on Ukraine's bid to join the EU, in which 95% of respondents opposed Ukraine's membership, according to Budapest.\n\n\u201cI would not like Hungary to be a member of an alliance where a newly admitted member is constantly in danger of war and can drag us into it. If Ukrainians become members of the union, this war will also become our war. And we do not want that,\" Orb\u00e1n told journalists at the European Council meeting last week in Brussels.\n\nHungary also argues that Ukraine's eastern borders are not set in stone and is not against possible concessions, even though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said he will not cede territory to Russia for a ceasefire, as this would be contrary to the country's constitution.\n\nBudapest also argues that Ukraine's EU membership will be costly for Europe, as a large portion of the European common budget could be redirected to its reconstruction.\n\nUkraine could also benefit from the bloc's cohesion and agricultural funds. Budapest is a net recipient of both. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the enlargement will inevitably lead to revisions to the common budget.\n\nAs an alternative, Orb\u00e1n proposed a strategic partnership with Ukraine, a status Kyiv already has since 2017, when it signed the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.\n\nWhat about the Western Balkan enlargement?\n\nMeanwhile, Hungary supports the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans, including Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.\n\nHungarian Minister for European Affairs J\u00e1nos B\u00f3ka said in October that their place is clearly in the European Union.\n\n\"The countries of the Western Balkans have been fulfilling the majority of the conditions for membership for years, yet they are not progressing at the pace they deserve,\" B\u00f3ka said.\n\nBudapest argues that enlargement would boost regional stability.\n\n\"It is clear that if there is no stability in the Western Balkans, if there is unrest, and if conflicts determine everyday life, then there will be constant uncertainty radiating from the region,\" Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said last July.\n\nHungary has strong business interests in the regions, particularly in energy and banking. Budapest also maintains ties with neighbouring Serbia. The two countries are closely cooperating in trade, migration, energy and defence.\n\nWhat about Moldova and Georgia?\n\nHungary supports Moldova's EU accession without any preconditions.\n\n\"Hungary has supported Moldova's EU membership so far, and we will continue to do so; there is no compromise or debate on this,\" Viktor Orb\u00e1n said earlier this year, adding that Moldova provides a much-needed workforce to the EU.\n\nHungary also supports Georgia's accession, although the process stalled after tensions between the European Union and the ruling Georgian Dream party.\n\nThe European Parliament also issued a resolution voicing concerns about the result of the Georgian parliamentary elections and calling for a re-run of the vote. After the election, Orb\u00e1n travelled to Tbilisi, expressing his support for the Georgian government.\n\nWill unanimity be necessary to finalise the process?\n\nWhile the Hungarian government rejects the idea of changing unanimity rules to facilitate the process for Ukraine and wants to maintain its ability to veto, Orb\u00e1n has shown in the past that he is willing to do so when there are economic incentives.\n\nAt a crunch EU summit in December 2023, Orb\u00e1n left the room where European leaders held their private discussions, allowing them to push through the opening of negotiations with Ukraine at 26 without Hungary's veto.\n\nEarlier that week, the European Commission released 10,2 billion euros in frozen EU funds for Hungary, citing \"some progress\" on judicial reforms.\n\nAt the time, the EU denied allegations that the two decisions were connected.\n\nTwo months later, at a summit in February 2024, Orb\u00e1n lifted his veto on the Ukraine Facility, allowing the EU to green-light a \u20ac50 billion support package for Kyiv.\n\nIf Orb\u00e1n loses power next year, when the country is due to hold parliamentary elections in April, the country's policy towards Ukraine's accession could change dramatically under an opposition-led government.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary is known in the European Union for its opposition to Ukraine's EU membership bid, its veto pledge threatening the opening of negotiation chapters for Kyiv. <\/p>\n<p>Yet the Hungarian stance on enlargement represents a nuanced balancing act, as Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n strongly supports the efforts of the Western Balkan countries to join the EU, as well as those of Moldova and Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian government has made it clear that Russia is responsible for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has called for an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations. <\/p>\n<p>Hungary provides humanitarian aid and electricity to Ukraine, but opposes any financial or military support to Kyiv. <\/p>\n<p>The argument from Budapest is that further European support will only prolong the war and lead to military escalation, endangering Europe's peace. <\/p>\n<p>Hungary has come under scrutiny from some of its European partners for maintaining political and trade ties with Russia through energy purchases. <\/p>\n<h2>Why is Hungary so set against Ukraine's EU accession?<\/h2>\n<p>Hungary is the loudest opponent of Ukraine's EU bid within the bloc, arguing that Ukraine's joining the EU would be negative for Europe and Hungary in particular. <\/p>\n<p>On this, Budapest is in the minority among European leaders who opened negotiations with Ukraine in 2023, in a vote in which Orb\u00e1n was notably absent. <\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian government initiated a so-called national consultation this year, a non-binding domestic poll on Ukraine's bid to join the EU, in which 95% of respondents opposed Ukraine's membership, according to Budapest.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would not like Hungary to be a member of an alliance where a newly admitted member is constantly in danger of war and can drag us into it. If Ukrainians become members of the union, this war will also become our war. And we do not want that,\" Orb\u00e1n told journalists at the European Council meeting last week in Brussels. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////images.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//52//80//06//808x539_cmsv2_b00e1337-bdb1-57ac-83b1-9bf9c0df97bd-9528006.jpg/" alt=\"Hungary&#x2019;s Viktor Orban and Ukraine&#x2019;s Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands prior to the opening ceremony at the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Granada, 5 October 2023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/80\/06\/384x256_cmsv2_b00e1337-bdb1-57ac-83b1-9bf9c0df97bd-9528006.jpg 384w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/80\/06\/640x427_cmsv2_b00e1337-bdb1-57ac-83b1-9bf9c0df97bd-9528006.jpg 640w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/80\/06\/750x500_cmsv2_b00e1337-bdb1-57ac-83b1-9bf9c0df97bd-9528006.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/80\/06\/828x552_cmsv2_b00e1337-bdb1-57ac-83b1-9bf9c0df97bd-9528006.jpg 828w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/80\/06\/1080x720_cmsv2_b00e1337-bdb1-57ac-83b1-9bf9c0df97bd-9528006.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/80\/06\/1200x800_cmsv2_b00e1337-bdb1-57ac-83b1-9bf9c0df97bd-9528006.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/80\/06\/1920x1280_cmsv2_b00e1337-bdb1-57ac-83b1-9bf9c0df97bd-9528006.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungary&#x2019;s Viktor Orban and Ukraine&#x2019;s Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands prior to the opening ceremony at the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Granada, 5 October 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Hungary also argues that Ukraine's eastern borders are not set in stone and is not against possible concessions, even though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said he will not cede territory to Russia for a ceasefire, as this would be contrary to the country's constitution. <\/p>\n<p>Budapest also argues that Ukraine's EU membership will be costly for Europe, as a large portion of the European common budget could be redirected to its reconstruction. <\/p>\n<p>Ukraine could also benefit from the bloc's cohesion and agricultural funds. Budapest is a net recipient of both. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the enlargement will inevitably lead to revisions to the common budget.<\/p>\n<p>As an alternative, Orb\u00e1n proposed a strategic partnership with Ukraine, a status Kyiv already has since 2017, when it signed the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. <\/p>\n<h2>What about the Western Balkan enlargement?<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, Hungary supports the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans, including Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. <\/p>\n<p>Hungarian Minister for European Affairs J\u00e1nos B\u00f3ka said in October that their place is clearly in the European Union. <\/p>\n<p>\"The countries of the Western Balkans have been fulfilling the majority of the conditions for membership for years, yet they are not progressing at the pace they deserve,\" B\u00f3ka said. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-youtube-embed\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//embed//qlzqxHBB9Xc/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Budapest argues that enlargement would boost regional stability. <\/p>\n<p>\"It is clear that if there is no stability in the Western Balkans, if there is unrest, and if conflicts determine everyday life, then there will be constant uncertainty radiating from the region,\" Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said last July. <\/p>\n<p>Hungary has strong business interests in the regions, particularly in energy and banking. Budapest also maintains ties with neighbouring Serbia. The two countries are closely cooperating in trade, migration, energy and defence. <\/p>\n<h2>What about Moldova and Georgia?<\/h2>\n<p>Hungary supports Moldova's EU accession without any preconditions.<\/p>\n<p>\"Hungary has supported Moldova's EU membership so far, and we will continue to do so; there is no compromise or debate on this,\" Viktor Orb\u00e1n said earlier this year, adding that Moldova provides a much-needed workforce to the EU. <\/p>\n<p>Hungary also supports Georgia's accession, although the process stalled after tensions between the European Union and the ruling Georgian Dream party.<\/p>\n<p>The European Parliament also issued a resolution voicing concerns about the result of the Georgian parliamentary elections and calling for a re-run of the vote. After the election, Orb\u00e1n travelled to Tbilisi, expressing his support for the Georgian government.<\/p>\n<h2>Will unanimity be necessary to finalise the process?<\/h2>\n<p>While the Hungarian government rejects the idea of changing unanimity rules to facilitate the process for Ukraine and wants to maintain its ability to veto, Orb\u00e1n has shown in the past that he is willing to do so when there are economic incentives. <\/p>\n<p>At a crunch EU summit in December 2023, Orb\u00e1n left the room where European leaders held their private discussions, allowing them to push through the opening of negotiations with Ukraine at 26 without Hungary's veto.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier that week, the European Commission released 10,2 billion euros in frozen EU funds for Hungary, citing \"some progress\" on judicial reforms. <\/p>\n<p>At the time, the EU denied allegations that the two decisions were connected. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//08//28//hungary-sanctions-ukrainian-drone-commander-for-bombing-oil-pipeline-in-russia/">Hungary sanctions Ukrainian drone commander for bombing oil pipeline in Russia<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//09//11//hungary-slovakia-under-pressure-as-us-and-eu-target-russia-with-energy-sanctions/">Hungary and Slovakia under pressure as US and EU target Russia with energy sanctions<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Two months later, at a summit in February 2024, Orb\u00e1n lifted his veto on the Ukraine Facility, allowing the EU to green-light a \u20ac50 billion support package for Kyiv. <\/p>\n<p>If Orb\u00e1n loses power next year, when the country is due to hold parliamentary elections in April, the country's policy towards Ukraine's accession could change dramatically under an opposition-led government. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1761639054,"updatedAt":1761804094,"publishedAt":1761804032,"firstPublishedAt":1761804032,"lastPublishedAt":1761804093,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/80\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ca84db66-c1b7-5146-96bd-82d1b4796a8f-9528006.jpg","altText":"FILE: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban","caption":"FILE: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911},{"url":"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/80\/06\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b00e1337-bdb1-57ac-83b1-9bf9c0df97bd-9528006.jpg","altText":"Hungary\u2019s Viktor Orban and Ukraine\u2019s Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands prior to the opening ceremony at the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Granada, 5 October 2023","caption":"Hungary\u2019s Viktor Orban and Ukraine\u2019s Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands prior to the opening ceremony at the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Granada, 5 October 2023","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor 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Balkans"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"youtube","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2842801},{"id":2843062},{"id":2846652}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x9svwoa"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/28\/07\/35\/05\/ED_PYR_2807355_20251029175833.mp4","editor":"","duration":90360,"filesizeBytes":16172033,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/28\/07\/35\/05\/SHD_PYR_2807355_20251029175833.mp4","editor":"","duration":90360,"filesizeBytes":23179093,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/28\/07\/35\/05\/FHD_PYR_2807355_20251029175833.mp4","editor":"","duration":90360,"filesizeBytes":72153351,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe 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News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/30\/hungarys-complicated-enlargement-policy-no-to-ukraine-yes-to-the-western-balkans","lastModified":1761804093},{"id":2841888,"cid":9527394,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ORBAN TRUMP RUSSIA SANCTIONS ","daletPyramidId":3121280,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary's PM Viktor Orb\u00e1n in push to reverse Trump's sanctions on Russian oil ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n in push to reverse Trump's sanctions on Russian oil","titleListing2":"Hungary's PM Viktor Orb\u00e1n in push to reverse Trump's sanctions on Russia ","leadin":"Orb\u00e1n said he will visit Trump next week to discuss Russian oil imports to Hungary after the US imposed sweeping sanctions. When asked if Trump's tariffs on Russian oil went too far, Orb\u00e1n said yes.","summary":"Orb\u00e1n said he will visit Trump next week to discuss Russian oil imports to Hungary after the US imposed sweeping sanctions. When asked if Trump's tariffs on Russian oil went too far, Orb\u00e1n said yes.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarys-pm-viktor-orban-in-push-to-reverse-trumps-sanctions-on-russian-oil","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/28\/hungarys-pm-viktor-orban-in-push-to-reverse-trumps-sanctions-on-russian-oil","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n said he will discuss new US sanctions on Russian oil with President Trump in Washington next week.\n\nThe US slapped sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, last week, with the former also being blacklisted by the EU.\n\n\"We are discussing how to build a sustainable system for my country's economy, because Hungary is heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas. Without them, energy prices will skyrocket, causing shortages in our supplies,\" Orb\u00e1n told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica during a visit to Rome.\n\nWhen asked if Trump went too far and had made a mistake by targeting Russia's energy sector, Orb\u00e1n said that he had gone too far, adding that Hungary will find a \"way out\" from the sanctions.\n\nLandlocked Hungary imports most of its fossil fuels from Russia, despite repeated calls from the United States and the European Union to end its dependency on energy from Moscow, an issue which has become a point of tension.\n\nThe impact of US sanctions\n\nHungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said the government is examining the possible impact of the sanctions, which the US says will stay in place until Russian President Vladimir Putin shows a genuine willingness to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine.\n\n\"As for the American sanctions, since their entry into force is still some way off, these measures have not yet caused any loss or difficulties in terms of our energy imports from Russia,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said at a press conference in Budapest on Monday.\n\nSeparately, the European Commission said the US sanctions do not pose any immediate danger for the security of supplies into Europe, as member states are required to hold oil reserves for 90 days.\n\n\"Last week's decision obviously might have an impact and we want to make sure that our member states are prepared, that they have a plan and we are here to support them with this,\" Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, European Commission spokesperson, told journalists.\n\nPressure mounts on Slovakia and Hungary\n\nSince the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has made several attempts to cut its energy dependency on Russia.\n\nIn 2022, the bloc banned the purchase of Russian pipeline oil, with Hungary and Slovakia receiving exemptions. However, while there is no ban on Russian pipeline gas, the EU plans to phase out all fuel imports by the end of 2027 in the bloc.\n\nMax Whitaker, US Ambassador to NATO, talking to Fox News on Sunday, criticised Hungary for not doing enough to end dependency.\n\nLast week the US opted to sanction the Russian energy sector for the first time since the war in Ukraine started.\n\n\"Hungary, unlike many of its neighbours, has not made any plans and has not taken any active steps. We are going to work with their neighbours, like Croatia and other countries, that can help them to wind them off. And that pipeline will most likely shut off in the coming years,\" Whitaker said, referring to the Druzhba oil pipeline.\n\nSlovakia will have to present a plan to decouple from Russian energy too, he added.\n\nAccording to the Centre for the Study of Democracy, Hungary further increased its energy dependency since the start of the full-scale invasion.\n\nIn 2022, 61% of Hungary's crude oil needs were imported from Russia. This year so far, it has risen to 92%, while Slovakia depends almost entirely on Russia for oil imports.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n said he will discuss new US sanctions on Russian oil with President Trump in Washington next week. <\/p>\n<p>The US slapped sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, last week, with the former also being blacklisted by the EU.<\/p>\n<p>\"We are discussing how to build a sustainable system for my country's economy, because Hungary is heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas. Without them, energy prices will skyrocket, causing shortages in our supplies,\" Orb\u00e1n told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica during a visit to Rome. <\/p>\n<p>When asked if Trump went too far and had made a mistake by targeting Russia's energy sector, Orb\u00e1n said that he had gone too far, adding that Hungary will find a \"way out\" from the sanctions. <\/p>\n<p>Landlocked Hungary imports most of its fossil fuels from Russia, despite repeated calls from the United States and the European Union to end its dependency on energy from Moscow, an issue which has become a point of tension.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//52//73//94//808x539_cmsv2_cbcbf0f4-2c2a-58d2-baea-0809bb418bc5-9527394.jpg/" alt=\"Hungary&#x27;s Prime Minister Viktor Orb&#xE1;n arrives in the St. Damasus Courtyard for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, 27 October, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/384x256_cmsv2_cbcbf0f4-2c2a-58d2-baea-0809bb418bc5-9527394.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/640x427_cmsv2_cbcbf0f4-2c2a-58d2-baea-0809bb418bc5-9527394.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/750x500_cmsv2_cbcbf0f4-2c2a-58d2-baea-0809bb418bc5-9527394.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/828x552_cmsv2_cbcbf0f4-2c2a-58d2-baea-0809bb418bc5-9527394.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/1080x720_cmsv2_cbcbf0f4-2c2a-58d2-baea-0809bb418bc5-9527394.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/1200x800_cmsv2_cbcbf0f4-2c2a-58d2-baea-0809bb418bc5-9527394.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/1920x1280_cmsv2_cbcbf0f4-2c2a-58d2-baea-0809bb418bc5-9527394.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungary&#x27;s Prime Minister Viktor Orb&#xE1;n arrives in the St. Damasus Courtyard for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, 27 October, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>The impact of US sanctions<\/h2>\n<p>Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said the government is examining the possible impact of the sanctions, which the US says will stay in place until Russian President Vladimir Putin shows a genuine willingness to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>\"As for the American sanctions, since their entry into force is still some way off, these measures have not yet caused any loss or difficulties in terms of our energy imports from Russia,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said at a press conference in Budapest on Monday. <\/p>\n<p>Separately, the European Commission said the US sanctions do not pose any immediate danger for the security of supplies into Europe, as member states are required to hold oil reserves for 90 days. <\/p>\n<p>\"Last week's decision obviously might have an impact and we want to make sure that our member states are prepared, that they have a plan and we are here to support them with this,\" Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, European Commission spokesperson, told journalists. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//49//46//81//808x539_cmsv2_10c6363f-57d0-52a1-abdf-c546e5fdcc40-9494681.jpg/" alt=\"Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary P&#xE9;ter Szijj&#xE1;rt&#xF3; addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, 24 September, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/49\/46\/81\/384x256_cmsv2_10c6363f-57d0-52a1-abdf-c546e5fdcc40-9494681.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/49\/46\/81\/640x427_cmsv2_10c6363f-57d0-52a1-abdf-c546e5fdcc40-9494681.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/49\/46\/81\/750x500_cmsv2_10c6363f-57d0-52a1-abdf-c546e5fdcc40-9494681.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/49\/46\/81\/828x552_cmsv2_10c6363f-57d0-52a1-abdf-c546e5fdcc40-9494681.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/49\/46\/81\/1080x720_cmsv2_10c6363f-57d0-52a1-abdf-c546e5fdcc40-9494681.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/49\/46\/81\/1200x800_cmsv2_10c6363f-57d0-52a1-abdf-c546e5fdcc40-9494681.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/49\/46\/81\/1920x1280_cmsv2_10c6363f-57d0-52a1-abdf-c546e5fdcc40-9494681.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary P&#xE9;ter Szijj&#xE1;rt&#xF3; addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, 24 September, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Pressure mounts on Slovakia and Hungary<\/h2>\n<p>Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has made several attempts to cut its energy dependency on Russia. <\/p>\n<p>In 2022, the bloc banned the purchase of Russian pipeline oil, with Hungary and Slovakia receiving exemptions. However, while there is no ban on Russian pipeline gas, the EU plans to phase out all fuel imports by the end of 2027 in the bloc. <\/p>\n<p>Max Whitaker, US Ambassador to NATO, talking to Fox News on Sunday, criticised Hungary for not doing enough to end dependency. <\/p>\n<p>Last week the US opted to sanction the Russian energy sector for the first time since the war in Ukraine started. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//52//73//94//808x539_cmsv2_e7634815-6341-53d2-ab51-b401aae70664-9527394.jpg/" alt=\"A general view of MOL&#x27;s Danube refinery which produces fuel from Russian crude oil in Sz&#xE1;zhalombatta, 27 September, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/384x256_cmsv2_e7634815-6341-53d2-ab51-b401aae70664-9527394.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/640x427_cmsv2_e7634815-6341-53d2-ab51-b401aae70664-9527394.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/750x500_cmsv2_e7634815-6341-53d2-ab51-b401aae70664-9527394.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/828x552_cmsv2_e7634815-6341-53d2-ab51-b401aae70664-9527394.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/1080x720_cmsv2_e7634815-6341-53d2-ab51-b401aae70664-9527394.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/1200x800_cmsv2_e7634815-6341-53d2-ab51-b401aae70664-9527394.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/1920x1280_cmsv2_e7634815-6341-53d2-ab51-b401aae70664-9527394.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A general view of MOL&#x27;s Danube refinery which produces fuel from Russian crude oil in Sz&#xE1;zhalombatta, 27 September, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"Hungary, unlike many of its neighbours, has not made any plans and has not taken any active steps. We are going to work with their neighbours, like Croatia and other countries, that can help them to wind them off. And that pipeline will most likely shut off in the coming years,\" Whitaker said, referring to the Druzhba oil pipeline. <\/p>\n<p>Slovakia will have to present a plan to decouple from Russian energy too, he added. <\/p>\n<p>According to the Centre for the Study of Democracy, Hungary further increased its energy dependency since the start of the full-scale invasion. <\/p>\n<p>In 2022, 61% of Hungary's crude oil needs were imported from Russia. This year so far, it has risen to 92%, while Slovakia depends almost entirely on Russia for oil imports. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1761574144,"updatedAt":1761645283,"publishedAt":1761630339,"firstPublishedAt":1761630339,"lastPublishedAt":1761645282,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ff085afb-2ca9-5d9e-afad-ed2505b2f480-9527394.jpg","altText":"A view of the reservoirs of Russian state-controlled oil giant OAO Rosneft near Nefteyugansk, 5 April, 2006","caption":"A view of the reservoirs of Russian state-controlled oil giant OAO Rosneft near Nefteyugansk, 5 April, 2006","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Misha Japaridze\/Copyright 2006 The AP. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1718,"height":966},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e7634815-6341-53d2-ab51-b401aae70664-9527394.jpg","altText":"A general view of MOL's Danube refinery which produces fuel from Russian crude oil in Sz\u00e1zhalombatta, 27 September, 2025","caption":"A general view of MOL's Danube refinery which produces fuel from Russian crude oil in Sz\u00e1zhalombatta, 27 September, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/73\/94\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cbcbf0f4-2c2a-58d2-baea-0809bb418bc5-9527394.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n arrives in the St. Damasus Courtyard for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, 27 October, 2025","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n arrives in the St. Damasus Courtyard for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, 27 October, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/49\/46\/81\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_10c6363f-57d0-52a1-abdf-c546e5fdcc40-9494681.jpg","altText":"Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, 24 September, 2025","caption":"Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, 24 September, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":13222,"slug":"oil","urlSafeValue":"oil","title":"Oil","titleRaw":"Oil"},{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":13363,"slug":"united-states","urlSafeValue":"united-states","title":"United States ","titleRaw":"United States 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News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/28\/hungarys-pm-viktor-orban-in-push-to-reverse-trumps-sanctions-on-russian-oil","lastModified":1761645282},{"id":2841040,"cid":9524219,"versionId":5,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ORBAN ANTI-EU SPEECH ","daletPyramidId":3092969,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary's Orb\u00e1n and Magyar hold competing rallies before 2026 election","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary's Orb\u00e1n and Magyar hold competing rallies before 2026 election","titleListing2":"Hungary's Orb\u00e1n and Magyar hold competing rallies before 2026 election","leadin":"With elections due in April, the rival rallies were a standoff between Viktor Orb\u00e1n and P\u00e9ter Magyar, his main political challenger who looks set to present the long-serving Hungarian leader with the most competitive ballot in his 15 years in power.","summary":"With elections due in April, the rival rallies were a standoff between Viktor Orb\u00e1n and P\u00e9ter Magyar, his main political challenger who looks set to present the long-serving Hungarian leader with the most competitive ballot in his 15 years in power.","keySentence":"","url":"thousands-of-hungarians-attend-rival-rallies-in-budapest-as-national-election-test-nears-f","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/10\/24\/thousands-of-hungarians-attend-rival-rallies-in-budapest-as-national-election-test-nears-f","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians filled the streets of Budapest on Thursday in competing demonstrations, as supporters of the country\u2019s two main political movements staged mutual shows of strength before next spring\u2019s national election.\n\nWith elections due in April, the rival rallies were a standoff between conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and his main political challenger, P\u00e9ter Magyar, who looks set to present the long-serving Hungarian leader with the most competitive ballot in his 15 years in power.\n\nOrb\u00e1n\u2019s supporters gathered on a bridge spanning the Danube River on Thursday morning and began marching toward Budapest's landmark neo-Gothic parliament.\n\nDubbed a \u201cpeace march\u201d by organisers, the rally took place on Revolution Memorial Day, a national holiday in memory of a failed anti-Soviet uprising in 1956 that was crushed by the Red Army.\n\nThe event, however, largely focused on criticising EU policy on Ukraine as well as the country's main opposition party, Tisza.\n\nParticipants shouted slogans backing Orb\u00e1n and his message that foreign powers threaten to push Hungary into direct involvement in Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine. At the front of the march, one large banner read, \u201cWe don\u2019t want to die for Ukraine\u201d.\n\nOrban again slams EU leaders as warmongers\n\nAddressing the crowd in a speech riddled with hostility for both Ukraine and the European Union \u2014 regular subjects of his ire \u2014 Orb\u00e1n accused Kyiv\u2019s European backers of having brought the EU into the war and of being willing \u201cto send others to die\u201d.\n\nOrb\u00e1n has consistently argued against Western support for neighbouring Ukraine since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in early 2022, and has maintained friendly relations with the Kremlin while criticising Kyiv.\n\nThe Hungarian leader has also vehemently opposed Ukraine\u2019s ambitions to join the EU and has argued for an immediate ceasefire in the war. However, he has not addressed what that might imply for Ukraine\u2019s territorial integrity or European security amid continued Russian aggression.\n\nDuring his roughly 40-minute speech, Orb\u00e1n said that Ukraine \u201chas long ceased to be sovereign and independent and is absolutely not self-sufficient.\u201d\n\nHe said he would support a strategic partnership between the EU and Kyiv, but that Ukraine \u201ccannot be members either of our military or economic alliance. They would bring war, take our money, and ruin our economy.\u201d\n\nMagyar accuses Orban of impoverishing Hungary\n\nLater in the day, throngs of supporters of opposition leader Magyar filled one of Budapest\u2019s central squares and adjacent avenues for their own demonstration \u2014 both an anti-government protest and a show of support for Magyar and his conservative Tisza party.\n\nThe march organised by Tisza featured performances and photo exhibitions commemorating the failed anti-Soviet uprising in 1956. Marchers shouted anti-government slogans as well as \u201cRussians go home\u201d \u2014 a refrain from the 1956 rebellion and a modern reference to many people\u2019s view that Orb\u00e1n has drawn the country too close to Moscow.\n\nOne Tisza supporter, Zsanett Kiss, travelled from P\u00e1pa in western Hungary to attend the march. She said she believed Magyar would be able to improve Hungary\u2019s stagnant economy and also bring the country back to a more liberal path.\n\n\u201cI want there to be a change already in this country, and I can say that I\u2019ve had enough, enough of the last 15 years,\u201d she said.\n\nSpeaking to the crowd of his supporters that filled Budapest\u2019s sprawling Heroes\u2019 Square, Magyar accused Orb\u00e1n of impoverishing the country by misusing public funds and turning Hungarians against one another.\n\nThe 44-year-old lawyer and former insider within Orb\u00e1n\u2019s Fidesz party burst into political prominence last year.\n\nSince then, he has focused his message on bread-and-butter issues affecting the majority of Hungarians: persistent inflation, poor health care, and increasingly salient allegations of government corruption \u2014 all sources of dissatisfaction that have plagued Orb\u00e1n\u2019s government.\n\nThe rural countryside, which has always been a dependable vote base for Orb\u00e1n\u2019s ruling Fidesz party, has been the focus of Magyar's campaign.\n\nHe recently concluded an 80-day national tour during which he spoke at numerous town hall-style meetings and fielded audience questions.\n\nBut this time around, he is adopting an inclusive stance, urging his followers to accept their political rivals after the April 2026 election. An exact date for the vote is yet to be set.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians filled the streets of Budapest on Thursday in competing demonstrations, as supporters of the country\u2019s two main political movements staged mutual shows of strength before next spring\u2019s national election.<\/p>\n<p>With elections due in April, the rival rallies were a standoff between conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and his main political challenger, P\u00e9ter Magyar, who looks set to present the long-serving Hungarian leader with the most competitive ballot in his 15 years in power.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n\u2019s supporters gathered on a bridge spanning the Danube River on Thursday morning and began marching toward Budapest's landmark neo-Gothic parliament. <\/p>\n<p>Dubbed a \u201cpeace march\u201d by organisers, the rally took place on Revolution Memorial Day, a national holiday in memory of a failed anti-Soviet uprising in 1956 that was crushed by the Red Army. <\/p>\n<p>The event, however, largely focused on criticising EU policy on Ukraine as well as the country's main opposition party, Tisza.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//52//43//66//808x539_cmsv2_ebe74c2a-cde2-5cda-a2b1-b90b67225e49-9524366.jpg/" alt=\"A man wearing a T-shirt with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends a pro-government march in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday 23 October 2025.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/43\/66\/384x256_cmsv2_ebe74c2a-cde2-5cda-a2b1-b90b67225e49-9524366.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/43\/66\/640x427_cmsv2_ebe74c2a-cde2-5cda-a2b1-b90b67225e49-9524366.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/43\/66\/750x500_cmsv2_ebe74c2a-cde2-5cda-a2b1-b90b67225e49-9524366.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/43\/66\/828x552_cmsv2_ebe74c2a-cde2-5cda-a2b1-b90b67225e49-9524366.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/43\/66\/1080x720_cmsv2_ebe74c2a-cde2-5cda-a2b1-b90b67225e49-9524366.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/43\/66\/1200x800_cmsv2_ebe74c2a-cde2-5cda-a2b1-b90b67225e49-9524366.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/43\/66\/1920x1280_cmsv2_ebe74c2a-cde2-5cda-a2b1-b90b67225e49-9524366.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A man wearing a T-shirt with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends a pro-government march in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday 23 October 2025.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Rudolph Karancsi\/AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Participants shouted slogans backing Orb\u00e1n and his message that foreign powers threaten to push Hungary into direct involvement in Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine. At the front of the march, one large banner read, \u201cWe don\u2019t want to die for Ukraine\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2>Orban again slams EU leaders as warmongers<\/h2>\n<p>Addressing the crowd in a speech riddled with hostility for both Ukraine and the European Union \u2014 regular subjects of his ire \u2014 Orb\u00e1n accused Kyiv\u2019s European backers of having brought the EU into the war and of being willing \u201cto send others to die\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n has consistently argued against Western support for neighbouring Ukraine since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in early 2022, and has maintained friendly relations with the Kremlin while criticising Kyiv.<\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian leader has also vehemently opposed Ukraine\u2019s ambitions to join the EU and has argued for an immediate ceasefire in the war. However, he has not addressed what that might imply for Ukraine\u2019s territorial integrity or European security amid continued Russian aggression.<\/p>\n<p>During his roughly 40-minute speech, Orb\u00e1n said that Ukraine \u201chas long ceased to be sovereign and independent and is absolutely not self-sufficient.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said he would support a strategic partnership between the EU and Kyiv, but that Ukraine \u201ccannot be members either of our military or economic alliance. They would bring war, take our money, and ruin our economy.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//09//25//donald-trump-called-hungarys-orban-to-discuss-russian-oil-imports/">Donald Trump called Hungary's Orb\u00e1n to discuss Russian oil imports<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//10//02//hungarys-orban-claims-eu-has-decided-to-go-to-war-and-calls-for-petition-against-brussels/">Hungary/u2019s Orb\u00e1n claims 'EU has decided to go to war' and calls for petition against Brussels<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Magyar accuses Orban of impoverishing Hungary<\/h2>\n<p>Later in the day, throngs of supporters of opposition leader Magyar filled one of Budapest\u2019s central squares and adjacent avenues for their own demonstration \u2014 both an anti-government protest and a show of support for Magyar and his conservative Tisza party.<\/p>\n<p>The march organised by Tisza featured performances and photo exhibitions commemorating the failed anti-Soviet uprising in 1956. Marchers shouted anti-government slogans as well as \u201cRussians go home\u201d \u2014 a refrain from the 1956 rebellion and a modern reference to many people\u2019s view that Orb\u00e1n has drawn the country too close to Moscow.<\/p>\n<p>One Tisza supporter, Zsanett Kiss, travelled from P\u00e1pa in western Hungary to attend the march. She said she believed Magyar would be able to improve Hungary\u2019s stagnant economy and also bring the country back to a more liberal path.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want there to be a change already in this country, and I can say that I\u2019ve had enough, enough of the last 15 years,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//52//42//19//808x539_cmsv2_73421910-a7b1-5aa6-afb8-82ee618e0168-9524219.jpg/" alt=\"Opposition Tisza party leader Peter Magyar, during a demonstration on 23 October 2025 in Budapest.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/42\/19\/384x256_cmsv2_73421910-a7b1-5aa6-afb8-82ee618e0168-9524219.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/42\/19\/640x427_cmsv2_73421910-a7b1-5aa6-afb8-82ee618e0168-9524219.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/42\/19\/750x500_cmsv2_73421910-a7b1-5aa6-afb8-82ee618e0168-9524219.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/42\/19\/828x552_cmsv2_73421910-a7b1-5aa6-afb8-82ee618e0168-9524219.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/42\/19\/1080x720_cmsv2_73421910-a7b1-5aa6-afb8-82ee618e0168-9524219.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/42\/19\/1200x800_cmsv2_73421910-a7b1-5aa6-afb8-82ee618e0168-9524219.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/42\/19\/1920x1280_cmsv2_73421910-a7b1-5aa6-afb8-82ee618e0168-9524219.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Opposition Tisza party leader Peter Magyar, during a demonstration on 23 October 2025 in Budapest.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Rudolf Karancsi\/AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Speaking to the crowd of his supporters that filled Budapest\u2019s sprawling Heroes\u2019 Square, Magyar accused Orb\u00e1n of impoverishing the country by misusing public funds and turning Hungarians against one another.<\/p>\n<p>The 44-year-old lawyer and former insider within Orb\u00e1n\u2019s Fidesz party burst into political prominence last year. <\/p>\n<p>Since then, he has focused his message on bread-and-butter issues affecting the majority of Hungarians: persistent inflation, poor health care, and increasingly salient allegations of government corruption \u2014 all sources of dissatisfaction that have plagued Orb\u00e1n\u2019s government.<\/p>\n<p>The rural countryside, which has always been a dependable vote base for Orb\u00e1n\u2019s ruling Fidesz party, has been the focus of Magyar's campaign. <\/p>\n<p>He recently concluded an 80-day national tour during which he spoke at numerous town hall-style meetings and fielded audience questions.<\/p>\n<p>But this time around, he is adopting an inclusive stance, urging his followers to accept their political rivals after the April 2026 election. An exact date for the vote is yet to be set.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1761237252,"updatedAt":1761290209,"publishedAt":1761286176,"firstPublishedAt":1761286176,"lastPublishedAt":1761290208,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/42\/19\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c69dc4d8-a452-5977-b8f9-8a7492220567-9524219.jpg","altText":"Participants of the \"Peace March\" wakling on Margaret Bridge in the Hungarian capital of Budapest on Thursday 23 October 2025.","caption":"Participants of the \"Peace March\" wakling on Margaret Bridge in the Hungarian capital of Budapest on Thursday 23 October 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Zsolt Czegledi \/MTI via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/42\/19\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_73421910-a7b1-5aa6-afb8-82ee618e0168-9524219.jpg","altText":"Opposition TISZA party leader Peter Magyar, during a demonstration marking the 69th anniversary of the outbreak of Hungary's 1956 revolution against comm","caption":"Opposition TISZA party leader Peter Magyar, during a demonstration marking the 69th anniversary of the outbreak of Hungary's 1956 revolution against comm","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/43\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ebe74c2a-cde2-5cda-a2b1-b90b67225e49-9524366.jpg","altText":"A man wearing a T-shirt with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends a pro-government march marking the 69th anniversary of the outbreak of Hungary's 1956 revolution.","caption":"A man wearing a T-shirt with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends a pro-government march marking the 69th anniversary of the outbreak of Hungary's 1956 revolution.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":957,"urlSafeValue":"fisayo","title":"Jerry Fisayo-Bambi","twitter":"@fisayobambi"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":29688,"slug":"peter-magyar","urlSafeValue":"peter-magyar","title":"Peter Magyar","titleRaw":"Peter Magyar"},{"id":11286,"slug":"opposition","urlSafeValue":"opposition","title":"Opposition","titleRaw":"Opposition"},{"id":26698,"slug":"russia-ukraine-invasion","urlSafeValue":"russia-ukraine-invasion","title":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2829816},{"id":2842933},{"id":2846885}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"_mPoQmfAqTs","dailymotionId":"x9slayu"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/27\/64\/49\/09\/ED_PYR_2764499_20251024064009.mp4","editor":"","duration":101800,"filesizeBytes":17447988,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/27\/64\/49\/09\/SHD_PYR_2764499_20251024064009.mp4","editor":"","duration":101800,"filesizeBytes":25737536,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/27\/64\/49\/09\/FHD_PYR_2764499_20251024064009.mp4","editor":"","duration":101800,"filesizeBytes":80029750,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/10\/24\/thousands-of-hungarians-attend-rival-rallies-in-budapest-as-national-election-test-nears-f","lastModified":1761290208},{"id":2839801,"cid":9518233,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SEBASTIAN KURZ OP-ED","daletPyramidId":3046307,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Budapest is the bridge to peace in Ukraine","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Budapest is the bridge to peace in Ukraine","titleListing2":"Opinion | Budapest offers the opportunity for a peace settlement that will enable both sides to break this impasse, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz writes in a Euronews exclusive.","leadin":"Budapest offers the opportunity for a peace settlement that will enable both sides to break this impasse, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz writes in a Euronews exclusive.","summary":"Budapest offers the opportunity for a peace settlement that will enable both sides to break this impasse, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz writes in a Euronews exclusive.","keySentence":"","url":"budapest-is-the-bridge-to-peace-in-ukraine","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/10\/20\/budapest-is-the-bridge-to-peace-in-ukraine","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Budapest to negotiate an end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.\n\nAfter more than three and a half years of war, this is a historic moment. Finally, a window for serious diplomacy is opening again.\n\nThis opportunity does not come by chance. It is the result of a global peace momentum that Trump is driving forward with remarkable energy.\n\nBudapest was deliberately chosen. The Russian war of aggression is taking place in Europe, and its effects are directly affecting our continent. Therefore, the peace solution must be worked out here as well.\n\nPrime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and his government can rightly be proud that the talks are taking place in Hungary. Hungary is creating the practical conditions for all sides to come to the table. This is pragmatic diplomacy.\n\nWhat we are currently experiencing goes far beyond Europe. Trump has worked with incredible energy in recent weeks to bring peace to the world. The Sharm el-Sheikh summit was the turning point.\n\nThe peace declaration for Gaza was signed there, together with Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Arab countries. Trump doesn't just talk, he acts and delivers results.\n\nThe release of the hostages, the ceasefire, and the start of reconstruction. All of this was unthinkable just a few weeks ago. The geopolitical situation has fundamentally changed as a result.\n\nRussia and Iran, the two leading actors behind many regional conflicts, have been weakened by the peace in the Middle East and exposed as troublemakers.\n\nTrump is now consistently exploiting this changed constellation for Europe. Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy now speaks of strong momentum for peace in the world.\n\nThe alternative to negotiations is not victory, but the continuation of a war that has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.\n\nSanctions and isolation have not brought Russia to its knees, but the economic situation in Russia is anything but positive.\n\nThis war produces no winners, only losers on both sides. Budapest offers the opportunity for a peace settlement that will enable both sides to break this impasse.\n\nThis will require compromises that not everyone will like. But the task of politics is to find solutions, not to manage conflicts.\n\nTrump has proven in the Middle East that with determination, breakthroughs can be achieved. History will judge us by whether we had the courage to create peace when the opportunity presented itself.\n\nSebastian Kurz is the former chancellor of Austria.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Budapest to negotiate an end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>After more than three and a half years of war, this is a historic moment. Finally, a window for serious diplomacy is opening again. <\/p>\n<p>This opportunity does not come by chance. It is the result of a global peace momentum that Trump is driving forward with remarkable energy.<\/p>\n<p>Budapest was deliberately chosen. The Russian war of aggression is taking place in Europe, and its effects are directly affecting our continent. Therefore, the peace solution must be worked out here as well. <\/p>\n<p>Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and his government can rightly be proud that the talks are taking place in Hungary. Hungary is creating the practical conditions for all sides to come to the table. This is pragmatic diplomacy.<\/p>\n<p>What we are currently experiencing goes far beyond Europe. Trump has worked with incredible energy in recent weeks to bring peace to the world. The Sharm el-Sheikh summit was the turning point. <\/p>\n<p>The peace declaration for Gaza was signed there, together with Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Arab countries. Trump doesn't just talk, he acts and delivers results. <\/p>\n<p>The release of the hostages, the ceasefire, and the start of reconstruction. All of this was unthinkable just a few weeks ago. The geopolitical situation has fundamentally changed as a result. <\/p>\n<p>Russia and Iran, the two leading actors behind many regional conflicts, have been weakened by the peace in the Middle East and exposed as troublemakers. <\/p>\n<p>Trump is now consistently exploiting this changed constellation for Europe. Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy now speaks of strong momentum for peace in the world.<\/p>\n<p>The alternative to negotiations is not victory, but the continuation of a war that has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. <\/p>\n<p>Sanctions and isolation have not brought Russia to its knees, but the economic situation in Russia is anything but positive. <\/p>\n<p>This war produces no winners, only losers on both sides. Budapest offers the opportunity for a peace settlement that will enable both sides to break this impasse. <\/p>\n<p>This will require compromises that not everyone will like. But the task of politics is to find solutions, not to manage conflicts. <\/p>\n<p>Trump has proven in the Middle East that with determination, breakthroughs can be achieved. History will judge us by whether we had the courage to create peace when the opportunity presented itself.<\/p>\n<p><em>Sebastian Kurz is the former chancellor of Austria.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1760884108,"updatedAt":1760936495,"publishedAt":1760936446,"firstPublishedAt":1760936446,"lastPublishedAt":1760936494,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/82\/33\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_91d732d3-b392-5d57-8193-7fa793900a3a-9518233.jpg","altText":"FILE: Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz during a news conference in Vienna, 2 December 2021","caption":"FILE: Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz during a news conference in Vienna, 2 December 2021","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1909,"height":1074}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":13038,"slug":"sebastian-kurz","urlSafeValue":"sebastian-kurz","title":"Sebastian Kurz","titleRaw":"Sebastian Kurz"},{"id":26330,"slug":"ukraine-russia-border-crisis","urlSafeValue":"ukraine-russia-border-crisis","title":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine ","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine "},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"},{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":19400,"slug":"volodymyr-zelensky","urlSafeValue":"volodymyr-zelensky","title":"Volodymyr Zelenskyy","titleRaw":"Volodymyr Zelenskyy"},{"id":22480,"slug":"euroviews","urlSafeValue":"euroviews","title":"Euroviews","titleRaw":"Euroviews"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2840022}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Sebastian Kurz, former chancellor of Austria","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":1,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/10\/20\/budapest-is-the-bridge-to-peace-in-ukraine","lastModified":1760936494},{"id":2839305,"cid":9515338,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"WHAT BUDAPEST SUMMIT MEANS FOR EU ","daletPyramidId":3028803,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"EU cautiously welcomes Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest but experts remain sceptical ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"EU Commission cautiously welcomes Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest","titleListing2":"EU Commission cautiously welcomes Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest","leadin":"A spokesperson for Ursula von der Leyen said any meeting toward a just peace is welcome but mainstream EU political parties and experts alike are divided on the benefits of the talks.","summary":"A spokesperson for Ursula von der Leyen said any meeting toward a just peace is welcome but mainstream EU political parties and experts alike are divided on the benefits of the talks.","keySentence":"","url":"eu-cautiously-welcomes-trump-putin-meeting-in-budapest-but-experts-remain-sceptical","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/17\/eu-cautiously-welcomes-trump-putin-meeting-in-budapest-but-experts-remain-sceptical","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The European Commission cautiously welcomed the announcement by US President Donald Trump to hold talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Budapest in the coming two weeks to advance a possible end to the war in Ukraine.\n\nHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was quick to declare the surprise choice of Budapest to hold the meeting as a vindication of his calls on EU leaders to negotiate with Moscow instead of confrontation as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine rages.\n\nOrb\u00e1n, who is close to both Trump and Putin, exclaimed that \"Hungary is the island of PEACE\" in a post on X on Friday, adding that his country was \"the only place in Europe\" where such a summit could take place.\n\nThe European Commission adopted a prudently positive tone about the meeting announcement.\n\n\"Any meeting that moves forward just and lasting peace in Ukraine is welcome,\" Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said.\n\nHe added, the EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine and to weakening Russia.\n\n\"It's long overdue for Russia to stop its senseless and illegal aggression against Ukraine. From the EU side, we are doing everything to support Ukraine as well as weaken Russia's ability to wage its war,\" Gill said.\n\nWhile the Commission welcomed the announcement, elsewhere in Brussels, the mood remained sceptical, addressing the close relations between Orb\u00e1n and Putin.\n\nAt a press briefing at the European Parliament with the spokespersons of the different parties, the European People's Party and Renew Europe political groups voiced scepticism about the summit.\n\nThe European Parliament's Socialist and Democrats, Renew Europe and European Conservatives and Reformists highlighted the need to represent Ukraine's interests at the table.\n\nThe spokesperson from the Greens\/EFA and the Left pushed matters further by saying that Putin should be arrested on European soil for war crimes in Ukraine.\n\nFrom the far right, the Europe of Sovereign Nations and Patriots for Europe welcomed the talks.\n\n\"Budapest sends a clear message: the logic of war can be overcome. Peace is built through dialogue, not sanctions,\" a spokesperson of the Patriots, \u00c1gnes Kar\u00e1ndi, said.\n\nEuropean political analysts remain sceptical\n\nThe prospect of a meeting between Trump and Putin has been met with doubt among some of Brussels' top political experts who think the meeting is likely to create tensions within the EU.\n\nD\u00e1niel Heged\u0171s, the regional director of the German Marshall Fund of the US, told Euronews that the possibility of the Budapest summit is a huge success for the Orb\u00e1n government and a deliberate challenge to the unity of the EU and its foreign and security policy.\n\n\"Providing this symbolic gift to the most illiberal government in the European Union that has been an outlier in its foreign policy related to Russia and Ukraine, practically since the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine,\" Heged\u0171s said.\n\n\"This is a deliberate attempt on the part of the US administration to weaken EU unity and actually to undermine the current mainstream position of the European Union about the support of Ukraine and and actually its sanction policy against Russia.\"\n\nHeged\u0171s added that it's clear that Trump prefers a fragmented Europe rather than a unified one that is capable and ready to act in its own interest.\n\nAlberto Alemanno, a Jean Monnet Professor in European Law at HEC Paris, agreed.\n\n\"It\u2019s yet [more] evidence that Viktor Orb\u00e1n is more loyal to Russia and US interests than to the Union his country belongs to,\" he said.\n\nThe professor claimed Orb\u00e1n is now acting as a Trojan horse within the EU, with a constant boycott of the EU's general interest, and that this is becoming unsustainable.\n\n\"This meeting risks giving Orban the authority to speak on behalf of the EU, while his personal stance on Ukraine stands antithetical to the Union. The optic will be favorable to him, shadow Kallas, and the EU26, similarly to what he did when holding the rotating presidency,\" Alemanno said.\n\nOrb\u00e1n opposed to Ukraine in the EU\n\nDuring the Hungarian Council presidency last year, Orb\u00e1n launched what he called a peace mission without coordinating with the EU, and travelled to both Ukraine and Russia for talks with the leadership of both countries.\n\nAt the European Political Community meeting in Copenhagen earlier this month, Orb\u00e1n rejected the idea of amending the EU's enlargement rules to facilitate Ukraine's accession talks.\n\nThe so-called Costa Plan suggested lifting the unanimity required for the opening of each negotiating chapter.\n\nChanging the rules also requires unanimity, and Hungary will veto Ukraine's EU accession, according to Orb\u00e1n.\n\n\"I told them, I do not agree, so this plan is dead,\" Orb\u00e1n said, accusing EU leaders of seeking confrontation with Russia.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The European Commission cautiously welcomed the announcement by US President Donald Trump to hold talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Budapest in the coming two weeks to advance a possible end to the war in Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was quick to declare the surprise choice of Budapest to hold the meeting as a vindication of his calls on EU leaders to negotiate with Moscow instead of confrontation as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine rages. <\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n, who is close to both Trump and Putin, exclaimed that \"Hungary is the island of PEACE\" in a post on X on Friday, adding that his country was \"the only place in Europe\" where such a summit could take place.<\/p>\n<p>The European Commission adopted a prudently positive tone about the meeting announcement. <\/p>\n<p>\"Any meeting that moves forward just and lasting peace in Ukraine is welcome,\" Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//51//53//38//808x539_cmsv2_0406e7b3-4072-55f1-be87-22de20808983-9515338.jpg/" alt=\"US President Donald Trump and Russia&#x27;s President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, 15 August, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/384x256_cmsv2_0406e7b3-4072-55f1-be87-22de20808983-9515338.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/640x427_cmsv2_0406e7b3-4072-55f1-be87-22de20808983-9515338.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/750x500_cmsv2_0406e7b3-4072-55f1-be87-22de20808983-9515338.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/828x552_cmsv2_0406e7b3-4072-55f1-be87-22de20808983-9515338.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/1080x720_cmsv2_0406e7b3-4072-55f1-be87-22de20808983-9515338.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/1200x800_cmsv2_0406e7b3-4072-55f1-be87-22de20808983-9515338.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/1920x1280_cmsv2_0406e7b3-4072-55f1-be87-22de20808983-9515338.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">US President Donald Trump and Russia&#x27;s President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, 15 August, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>He added, the EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine and to weakening Russia.<\/p>\n<p>\"It's long overdue for Russia to stop its senseless and illegal aggression against Ukraine. From the EU side, we are doing everything to support Ukraine as well as weaken Russia's ability to wage its war,\" Gill said.<\/p>\n<p>While the Commission welcomed the announcement, elsewhere in Brussels, the mood remained sceptical, addressing the close relations between Orb\u00e1n and Putin.<\/p>\n<p>At a press briefing at the European Parliament with the spokespersons of the different parties, the European People's Party and Renew Europe political groups voiced scepticism about the summit.<\/p>\n<p>The European Parliament's Socialist and Democrats, Renew Europe and European Conservatives and Reformists highlighted the need to represent Ukraine's interests at the table.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//50//43//70//808x539_cmsv2_c03dcb28-7041-5e8f-a826-e13d7e3f74d8-9504370.jpg/" alt=\"European Parliament members attend a session at the parliament in Strasbourg, 8 October, 2025 \" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/50\/43\/70\/384x256_cmsv2_c03dcb28-7041-5e8f-a826-e13d7e3f74d8-9504370.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/50\/43\/70\/640x427_cmsv2_c03dcb28-7041-5e8f-a826-e13d7e3f74d8-9504370.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/50\/43\/70\/750x500_cmsv2_c03dcb28-7041-5e8f-a826-e13d7e3f74d8-9504370.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/50\/43\/70\/828x552_cmsv2_c03dcb28-7041-5e8f-a826-e13d7e3f74d8-9504370.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/50\/43\/70\/1080x720_cmsv2_c03dcb28-7041-5e8f-a826-e13d7e3f74d8-9504370.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/50\/43\/70\/1200x800_cmsv2_c03dcb28-7041-5e8f-a826-e13d7e3f74d8-9504370.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/50\/43\/70\/1920x1280_cmsv2_c03dcb28-7041-5e8f-a826-e13d7e3f74d8-9504370.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">European Parliament members attend a session at the parliament in Strasbourg, 8 October, 2025 <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The spokesperson from the Greens\/EFA and the Left pushed matters further by saying that Putin should be arrested on European soil for war crimes in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>From the far right, the Europe of Sovereign Nations and Patriots for Europe welcomed the talks.<\/p>\n<p>\"Budapest sends a clear message: the logic of war can be overcome. Peace is built through dialogue, not sanctions,\" a spokesperson of the Patriots, \u00c1gnes Kar\u00e1ndi, said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>European political analysts remain sceptical<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The prospect of a meeting between Trump and Putin has been met with doubt among some of Brussels' top political experts who think the meeting is likely to create tensions within the EU.<\/p>\n<p>D\u00e1niel Heged\u0171s, the regional director of the German Marshall Fund of the US, told Euronews that the possibility of the Budapest summit is a huge success for the Orb\u00e1n government and a deliberate challenge to the unity of the EU and its foreign and security policy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//51//53//38//808x539_cmsv2_54df2ccf-de59-56a8-828d-fbee990f3d6d-9515338.jpg/" alt=\"Russian President Vladimir Putin during a plenary session of the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow, 16 October, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/384x256_cmsv2_54df2ccf-de59-56a8-828d-fbee990f3d6d-9515338.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/640x427_cmsv2_54df2ccf-de59-56a8-828d-fbee990f3d6d-9515338.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/750x500_cmsv2_54df2ccf-de59-56a8-828d-fbee990f3d6d-9515338.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/828x552_cmsv2_54df2ccf-de59-56a8-828d-fbee990f3d6d-9515338.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/1080x720_cmsv2_54df2ccf-de59-56a8-828d-fbee990f3d6d-9515338.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/1200x800_cmsv2_54df2ccf-de59-56a8-828d-fbee990f3d6d-9515338.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/1920x1280_cmsv2_54df2ccf-de59-56a8-828d-fbee990f3d6d-9515338.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Russian President Vladimir Putin during a plenary session of the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow, 16 October, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"Providing this symbolic gift to the most illiberal government in the European Union that has been an outlier in its foreign policy related to Russia and Ukraine, practically since the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine,\" Heged\u0171s said.<\/p>\n<p>\"This is a deliberate attempt on the part of the US administration to weaken EU unity and actually to undermine the current mainstream position of the European Union about the support of Ukraine and and actually its sanction policy against Russia.\"<\/p>\n<p>Heged\u0171s added that it's clear that Trump prefers a fragmented Europe rather than a unified one that is capable and ready to act in its own interest.<\/p>\n<p>Alberto Alemanno, a Jean Monnet Professor in European Law at HEC Paris, agreed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//10//16//trump-says-he-will-meet-putin-in-hungary-in-bid-to-resolve-ukraine-war/">Trump says he will meet Putin in Hungary in bid to resolve Ukraine war<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//10//17//more-talks-less-tomahawks-the-us-and-its-bid-to-lure-putin-back-to-negotiations/">More talks, less Tomahawks? Trump's stick drives Putin back to negotiations<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"It\u2019s yet [more] evidence that Viktor Orb\u00e1n is more loyal to Russia and US interests than to the Union his country belongs to,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>The professor claimed Orb\u00e1n is now acting as a Trojan horse within the EU, with a constant boycott of the EU's general interest, and that this is becoming unsustainable.<\/p>\n<p>\"This meeting risks giving Orban the authority to speak on behalf of the EU, while his personal stance on Ukraine stands antithetical to the Union. The optic will be favorable to him, shadow Kallas, and the EU26, similarly to what he did when holding the rotating presidency,\" Alemanno said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Orb\u00e1n opposed to Ukraine in the EU<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>During the Hungarian Council presidency last year, Orb\u00e1n launched what he called a peace mission without coordinating with the EU, and travelled to both Ukraine and Russia for talks with the leadership of both countries.<\/p>\n<p>At the European Political Community meeting in Copenhagen earlier this month, Orb\u00e1n rejected the idea of amending the EU's enlargement rules to facilitate Ukraine's accession talks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//51//53//38//808x539_cmsv2_4c0fbe26-a7ff-55d4-9f59-a7efcd2ebb79-9515338.jpg/" alt=\"Russian President Vladimir Putin Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb&#xE1;n arrive to make press statements in Moscow, 5 July, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/384x256_cmsv2_4c0fbe26-a7ff-55d4-9f59-a7efcd2ebb79-9515338.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/640x427_cmsv2_4c0fbe26-a7ff-55d4-9f59-a7efcd2ebb79-9515338.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/750x500_cmsv2_4c0fbe26-a7ff-55d4-9f59-a7efcd2ebb79-9515338.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/828x552_cmsv2_4c0fbe26-a7ff-55d4-9f59-a7efcd2ebb79-9515338.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/1080x720_cmsv2_4c0fbe26-a7ff-55d4-9f59-a7efcd2ebb79-9515338.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/1200x800_cmsv2_4c0fbe26-a7ff-55d4-9f59-a7efcd2ebb79-9515338.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/1920x1280_cmsv2_4c0fbe26-a7ff-55d4-9f59-a7efcd2ebb79-9515338.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Russian President Vladimir Putin Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb&#xE1;n arrive to make press statements in Moscow, 5 July, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The so-called Costa Plan suggested lifting the unanimity required for the opening of each negotiating chapter.<\/p>\n<p>Changing the rules also requires unanimity, and Hungary will veto Ukraine's EU accession, according to Orb\u00e1n.<\/p>\n<p>\"I told them, I do not agree, so this plan is dead,\" Orb\u00e1n said, accusing EU leaders of seeking confrontation with Russia.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1760681509,"updatedAt":1760726119,"publishedAt":1760708317,"firstPublishedAt":1760708317,"lastPublishedAt":1760708317,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f41b6387-ff3c-5167-a1b6-9c41417ab341-9515338.jpg","altText":"European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, 21 August, 2025","caption":"European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, 21 August, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_54df2ccf-de59-56a8-828d-fbee990f3d6d-9515338.jpg","altText":"Russian President Vladimir Putin during a plenary session of the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow, 16 October, 2025","caption":"Russian President Vladimir Putin during a plenary session of the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow, 16 October, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/53\/38\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0406e7b3-4072-55f1-be87-22de20808983-9515338.jpg","altText":"US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, 15 August, 2025","caption":"US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, 15 August, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP 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a session at the parliament in Strasbourg, 8 October, 2025 ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"},{"id":8263,"slug":"vladimir-putin","urlSafeValue":"vladimir-putin","title":"Vladimir Putin","titleRaw":"Vladimir Putin"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor 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News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/17\/eu-cautiously-welcomes-trump-putin-meeting-in-budapest-but-experts-remain-sceptical","lastModified":1760708317},{"id":2834821,"cid":9487763,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ORBAN UKRAINE DRONE SOVERENITY ","daletPyramidId":2843236,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n questions Ukraine's sovereignty amid spat over Hungarian drone incursion","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary's Viktor Orb\u00e1n questions Ukraine's sovereignty\u00a0","titleListing2":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n questions Ukraine's sovereignty amid spat over Hungarian drone incursion\n","leadin":"The Hungarian leader said it doesn't matter if a few Hungarian drones flew over Ukraine, since he doesn't consider Ukraine an independent, sovereign country.","summary":"The Hungarian leader said it doesn't matter if a few Hungarian drones flew over Ukraine, since he doesn't consider Ukraine an independent, sovereign country.","keySentence":"","url":"viktor-orban-questions-ukraines-sovereignty-amid-spat-over-hungarian-drone-incursion","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/29\/viktor-orban-questions-ukraines-sovereignty-amid-spat-over-hungarian-drone-incursion","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n played down the possibility of Hungarian drones violating Ukraine's airspace in an interview released on Monday. Even if a drone enters Ukraine from Hungary, Orb\u00e1n said, Kyiv should deal with drones coming from the east, from Russia.\n\nOn Friday, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy\u00a0claimed that a reconnaissance drone from Hungary violated the airspace of Ukraine, flying over industrial installations in the Transcarpathian region.\n\nEarlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 rejected the Ukrainian claims, but Orb\u00e1n didn't deny the incident.\n\n\"I believe my ministers, but let's say it did actually fly a few metres there, so what? Ukraine is not an independent country. Ukraine is not a sovereign country,\" Orb\u00e1n said.\n\nIn the interview, the Prime Minister argued that Ukraine was not in danger from its Western NATO neighbours and should concentrate on Russian drones on its eastern frontline.\n\n\"Ukraine is not at war with Hungary; it is at war with Russia. It should be concerned with the drones on its eastern border, as there are NATO member states here. Ukraine's hinterland is safe. Nobody will attack it from there. I don't think the Poles, Slovaks, Hungarians or Bulgarians would want to attack them. This is a hoax. It has no significance,\" Orb\u00e1n said.\n\nTensions are high between Hungary and Ukraine\n\nEarlier, the Hungarian and Ukrainian foreign ministers exchanged words over the issue. Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 denied that the drone in question was from Hungary and accused Ukraine's leader of fostering anti-Hungarian sentiment.\n\n\"Volodymyr Zelenskyy is becoming crazily anti-Hungarian, now he sees horrors,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said.\n\nHis Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha replied with a map showing the route of drone, calling Hungarian officials blind.\n\n\"For the blind Hungarian officials.\u00a0[This is the] Exact route of yesterday\u2019s drone incursion from Hungary into Ukrainian airspace. Our Armed Forces have gathered all of the necessary evidence, and we are still waiting for Hungary to explain what this object did in our airspace,\" Sybiha wrote.\n\nRelations between Hungary and Ukraine are at a historic low, following a series of incidents. Ukraine bombed the Druzhba pipeline on Russian territory, effectively stopping oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia for days.\n\nHungary is also the main opponent of Ukraine's EU accession ambitions, threatening a veto on opening negotiating chapters. Prime Minister Orb\u00e1n said earlier that Ukraine's joining the EU would be an economic disaster for Hungary and the\u00a0EU alike.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n played down the possibility of Hungarian drones violating Ukraine's airspace in an interview released on Monday. Even if a drone enters Ukraine from Hungary, Orb\u00e1n said, Kyiv should deal with drones coming from the east, from Russia.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy\u00a0claimed that a reconnaissance drone from Hungary violated the airspace of Ukraine, flying over industrial installations in the Transcarpathian region.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 rejected the Ukrainian claims, but Orb\u00e1n didn't deny the incident.<\/p>\n<p>\"I believe my ministers, but let's say it did actually fly a few metres there, so what? Ukraine is not an independent country. Ukraine is not a sovereign country,\" Orb\u00e1n said.<\/p>\n<p>In the interview, the Prime Minister argued that Ukraine was not in danger from its Western NATO neighbours and should concentrate on Russian drones on its eastern frontline.<\/p>\n<p>\"Ukraine is not at war with Hungary; it is at war with Russia. It should be concerned with the drones on its eastern border, as there are NATO member states here. Ukraine's hinterland is safe. Nobody will attack it from there. I don't think the Poles, Slovaks, Hungarians or Bulgarians would want to attack them. This is a hoax. It has no significance,\" Orb\u00e1n said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Tensions are high between Hungary and Ukraine<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Earlier, the Hungarian and Ukrainian foreign ministers exchanged words over the issue. Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 denied that the drone in question was from Hungary and accused Ukraine's leader of fostering anti-Hungarian sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>\"Volodymyr Zelenskyy is becoming crazily anti-Hungarian, now he sees horrors,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said.<\/p>\n<p>His Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha replied with a map showing the route of drone, calling Hungarian officials blind.<\/p>\n<p>\"For the blind Hungarian officials.\u00a0[This is the] Exact route of yesterday\u2019s drone incursion from Hungary into Ukrainian airspace. Our Armed Forces have gathered all of the necessary evidence, and we are still waiting for Hungary to explain what this object did in our airspace,\" Sybiha wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Relations between Hungary and Ukraine are at a historic low, following a series of incidents. Ukraine bombed the Druzhba pipeline on Russian territory, effectively stopping oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia for days.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary is also the main opponent of Ukraine's EU accession ambitions, threatening a veto on opening negotiating chapters. Prime Minister Orb\u00e1n said earlier that Ukraine's joining the EU would be an economic disaster for Hungary and the\u00a0EU alike.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1759137583,"updatedAt":1759173474,"publishedAt":1759146846,"firstPublishedAt":1759146846,"lastPublishedAt":1759173474,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/77\/63\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f8172c6d-5603-5303-a9b7-e14415f53358-9487763.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Omar Havana)","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Omar Havana)","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":19400,"slug":"volodymyr-zelensky","urlSafeValue":"volodymyr-zelensky","title":"Volodymyr Zelenskyy","titleRaw":"Volodymyr Zelenskyy"},{"id":12609,"slug":"drones","urlSafeValue":"drones","title":"Drones","titleRaw":"Drones"},{"id":30116,"slug":"souverainete","urlSafeValue":"souverainete","title":"sovereignty","titleRaw":"sovereignty"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2835070},{"id":2835614},{"id":2849532}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/29\/viktor-orban-questions-ukraines-sovereignty-amid-spat-over-hungarian-drone-incursion","lastModified":1759173474},{"id":2833900,"cid":9483008,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"TRUMP ORBAN PHONE CALL ","daletPyramidId":2811824,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Donald Trump called Hungary's Orb\u00e1n to discuss Russian oil imports","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Donald Trump called Hungary's Orb\u00e1n to discuss Russian oil imports","titleListing2":"Donald Trump called Hungary's Orb\u00e1n to discuss Russian oil imports","leadin":"According to the Hungarians, Orb\u00e1n told Trump that Hungary needs Russian fuel to keep its energy prices low, and Trump acknowledged this.","summary":"According to the Hungarians, Orb\u00e1n told Trump that Hungary needs Russian fuel to keep its energy prices low, and Trump acknowledged this.","keySentence":"","url":"donald-trump-called-hungarys-orban-to-discuss-russian-oil-imports","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/25\/donald-trump-called-hungarys-orban-to-discuss-russian-oil-imports","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n discussed Hungary's Russian oil imports in a phone call yesterday evening, Hungary's Foreign Minister, P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3, has confirmed.\n\n\"The Prime Minister also spoke with President Donald Trump recently, and they discussed several matters, including the state of the war, the possibility of peace, the state of the world economy, the situation arising from the tariffs, and, of course, the issue of Central European energy supply. This happened a few hours ago,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 told reporters after meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.\n\nEarlier, Donald Trump demanded that all NATO allies suspend oil imports from Russia to break Russia's war economy. He said he was prepared to talk to Orb\u00e1n about the issue.\n\n\u201cHe is a friend of mine. I have not spoken to him, but I have a feeling that if I did, he might stop. And I think I\u2019ll be doing that,\" Trump said earlier this week.\n\nOrb\u00e1n's cabinet minister Gergely Guly\u00e1s discussed the content of the phone call during a press briefing in Budapest on Thursday.\n\n\"He made the American president aware of the Hungarian angles which make for a rational decision in the country's interest and which are required to keep utility costs down. The President understood these aspects,\" Guly\u00e1s said.\n\nThe minister added that\u00a0Hungary has few options to diversify its oil supplies, as there is limited capacity in the Adria pipeline, which enters Hungary from Croatia.\n\nPressure growing\u00a0on Hungary to give up Russian oil\n\nHungary's Viktor Orb\u00e1n is a close political ally of Donald Trump in Europe, as the views of the two leaders align when it comes to migration and right-wing policies. But the latest push by Trump to pressure Putin into ending the war could harm Hungary's economic model, which\u00a0relies on cheap imports of Russian fossil fuels.\n\nBesides the US administration, the EU is also stepping up efforts to cease energy imports from Russia.\u00a0\n\nThe Commission previously presented an ambitious roadmap to eliminate all purchases of Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027\u00a0at the latest.\n\nBut amid pressure from Trump, Brussels has taken a step to speed things up in a new sanctions package, which, if approved, will bring the end of Russian LNG one year earlier to 1 January 2027.\n\nOn Wednesday, the Commission also revealed that it might hit Russian fossil fuels with tariffs.\n\nAccording to Hungarian energy expert Attila Holoda, Hungary has sufficient capacities and alternative routes to replace Russian Ural oil, but this would endanger the profits of Hungary's Oil and Gas Company MOL.\n\n\"MOL cites technical difficulties because it does not want to give up this profit,\" Holoda said.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n discussed Hungary's Russian oil imports in a phone call yesterday evening, Hungary's Foreign Minister, P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3, has confirmed.<\/p>\n<p>\"The Prime Minister also spoke with President Donald Trump recently, and they discussed several matters, including the state of the war, the possibility of peace, the state of the world economy, the situation arising from the tariffs, and, of course, the issue of Central European energy supply. This happened a few hours ago,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 told reporters after meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier, Donald Trump demanded that all NATO allies suspend oil imports from Russia to break Russia's war economy. He said he was prepared to talk to Orb\u00e1n about the issue.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe is a friend of mine. I have not spoken to him, but I have a feeling that if I did, he might stop. And I think I\u2019ll be doing that,\" Trump said earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n's cabinet minister Gergely Guly\u00e1s discussed the content of the phone call during a press briefing in Budapest on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>\"He made the American president aware of the Hungarian angles which make for a rational decision in the country's interest and which are required to keep utility costs down. The President understood these aspects,\" Guly\u00e1s said.<\/p>\n<p>The minister added that\u00a0Hungary has few options to diversify its oil supplies, as there is limited capacity in the Adria pipeline, which enters Hungary from Croatia.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Pressure growing\u00a0on Hungary to give up Russian oil<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Hungary's Viktor Orb\u00e1n is a close political ally of Donald Trump in Europe, as the views of the two leaders align when it comes to migration and right-wing policies. But the latest push by Trump to pressure Putin into ending the war could harm Hungary's economic model, which\u00a0relies on cheap imports of Russian fossil fuels.<\/p>\n<p>Besides the US administration, the EU is also stepping up efforts to cease energy imports from Russia.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Commission previously presented an ambitious roadmap to eliminate all purchases of Russian fossil fuels <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F05%2F06%2Feu-sets-2027-as-deadline-to-phase-out-all-russian-energy-including-lng&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7C477f593522f14cc7613408ddfc18fb44%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638943906404632892%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=c11MI2DwIrt1w%2B76badAzi0N49fRplERGx%2Bmth6tf3U%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">by the end of 2027<\/a>\u00a0at the latest.<\/p>\n<p>But amid pressure from Trump, Brussels has taken a step to speed things up in a new sanctions package, which, if approved, will bring the end of Russian LNG one year earlier to 1 January 2027.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, the Commission also revealed that it might hit Russian fossil fuels with tariffs.<\/p>\n<p>According to Hungarian energy expert Attila Holoda, Hungary has sufficient capacities and alternative routes to replace Russian Ural oil, but this would endanger the profits of Hungary's Oil and Gas Company MOL.<\/p>\n<p>\"MOL cites technical difficulties because it does not want to give up this profit,\" Holoda said.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1758788749,"updatedAt":1758795572,"publishedAt":1758794285,"firstPublishedAt":1758794285,"lastPublishedAt":1758794285,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/30\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_de46eda8-1f4f-5eca-9f10-cca11b6eda6d-9483008.jpg","altText":"FILE - President Donald Trump meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n in the Oval Office of the White House, May 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Evan Vucci, File)","caption":"FILE - President Donald Trump meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n in the Oval Office of the White House, May 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Evan Vucci, File)","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":13222,"slug":"oil","urlSafeValue":"oil","title":"Oil","titleRaw":"Oil"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2831011},{"id":2844206}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/25\/donald-trump-called-hungarys-orban-to-discuss-russian-oil-imports","lastModified":1758794285},{"id":2833682,"cid":9481612,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"HUNGARY TRUMP RUSSIAN OIL ","daletPyramidId":2803749,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary seeks to dodge Trump pressure to cut Russia oil imports","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary rebuffs Trump's call to cut Russian oil imports\u00a0","titleListing2":"Hungary seeks to dodge Trump pressure to cut Russia oil imports","leadin":"Hungary said that alternative routes wouldn't suffice to replace Russian pipeline oil, after Donald Trump warned he would call Viktor Orb\u00e1n to tell him to stop buying Russian oil. Experts say Hungary could use EU funds for the decoupling.","summary":"Hungary said that alternative routes wouldn't suffice to replace Russian pipeline oil, after Donald Trump warned he would call Viktor Orb\u00e1n to tell him to stop buying Russian oil. Experts say Hungary could use EU funds for the decoupling.","keySentence":"","url":"hungary-seeks-to-dodge-trump-pressure-to-cut-russia-oil-imports","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/25\/hungary-seeks-to-dodge-trump-pressure-to-cut-russia-oil-imports","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary is under increased pressure from the US and from the EU to phase out Russian fossil fuels, but Budapest is standing its ground, while the EU offers financial help for the transition.\n\nOn Wednesday Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 rejected the calls from Donald Trump asking Hungary to phase out Russian oil imports.\n\n\"We, of course, support all of President Donald Trump's efforts for peace. However, our geographical location creates a reality, and we cannot change this reality,\" he emphasized in New York, where he's attending the UN General Assembly.\n\nSzijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 added that his country imports only 2% of Russia's oil exports and said existing alternative routes from Croatia are not sufficient\u00a0to replace this.\n\nLast week, US President Donald Trump called on NATO members to stop Russian oil imports to press Moscow for a peace agreement. And at the UN General Assembly, he had a personal message to Hungary's right-wing Prime Minister,\u00a0Viktor Orb\u00e1n.\n\n\u201cHe is a friend of mine. I have not spoken to him, but I have a feeling that if I did, he might stop. And I think I\u2019ll be doing that,\" Trump said.\n\nOrb\u00e1n is a staunch supporter of Trump, and was the only European politician who openly campaigned for his re-election. Orb\u00e1n also maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, and Hungary has favourable contracts for the purchase of Russian oil and gas.\n\nA potentially risky situation for Hungary\n\nHungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 argued against the decoupling, saying that alternative routes, like the Adria pipeline through Croatia, are not sufficient to replace the Drushba oil pipeline, the main route of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.\n\n\"Tests have clearly proven in recent weeks that this pipeline, in its current technical condition, is incapable of transporting large quantities of oil continuously, at high pressure,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said on Wednesday.\n\nCiting an IMF report, Hungary's international spokesperson, Zolt\u00e1n Kov\u00e1cs, said on Wednesday\u00a0that Hungary\u2019s GDP would shrink by more than 4% if Russian gas supplies were cut off EU-wide.\n\nTalking to Euronews, Hungary's Ministerial Commissioner for direct EU Funds, Bernadett Petri, admitted that the international tensions around Hungary's fossil fuel imports is a potential risk for the country.\n\n\"Obviously, Hungary could be the loser in the energy-related give-and-take that is currently taking place on the global stage, but I think it will do everything to avoid that,\" Bernadett Petri said.\n\nLately, Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia have stopped for days, after Ukraine bombed the Druzhba pipeline on Russian territory.\n\nThe EU could step in to support the transition\n\nEamon Drumm, a research analyst at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, previously told Euronews that Hungary and Slovakia will be squeezed to drop Russian fossil fuels,\u00a0but both countries might apply for EU funding to do this.\n\n\"If this were to have an impact on Hungary, it would be through extracting more support from the EU for diversification efforts because the replacement of Russian oil and gas to a lesser extent, is costly, adds complexity, and there are challenges with the infrastructure as well,\" Eamon Drumm said.\n\nAsked by Euronews, a European Commission spokesperson\u00a0said the executive will work together with Hungary and Slovakia on the issue of decoupling from Russian oil.\n\n\"We continue to work intensely with them to ensure a smooth diversification, smooth transition, and to help them find alternative supplies,\" Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said, adding: \"We obviously understand the concerns that have been raised both by Slovakia and Hungary in this context. And the work continues. We have set up various kinds of formats at the technical level, at the political level, to stay in touch and to take this work further.\"\n\nThe Hungarian government did not comment on the talks with the Commission.\n\nThe Commission previously presented an ambitious roadmap to eliminate all purchases of Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027\u00a0at the latest.\n\nBut amid heavy pressure from Donald Trump, who has urged Europeans to cut all energy ties with Moscow, Brussels has taken a step to speed things up in a new sanctions package, which, if approved, will bring the end of Russian LNG one year earlier to 1 January 2027.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary is under increased pressure from the US and from the EU to phase out Russian fossil fuels, but Budapest is standing its ground, while the EU offers financial help for the transition.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 rejected the calls from Donald Trump asking Hungary to phase out Russian oil imports.<\/p>\n<p>\"We, of course, support all of President Donald Trump's efforts for peace. However, our geographical location creates a reality, and we cannot change this reality,\" he emphasized in New York, where he's attending the UN General Assembly.<\/p>\n<p>Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 added that his country imports only 2% of Russia's oil exports and said existing alternative routes from Croatia are not sufficient\u00a0to replace this.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, US President Donald Trump called on NATO members to stop Russian oil imports to press Moscow for a peace agreement. And at the UN General Assembly, he had a personal message to Hungary's right-wing Prime Minister,\u00a0Viktor Orb\u00e1n.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe is a friend of mine. I have not spoken to him, but I have a feeling that if I did, he might stop. And I think I\u2019ll be doing that,\" Trump said.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n is a staunch supporter of Trump, and was the only European politician who openly campaigned for his re-election. Orb\u00e1n also maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, and Hungary has favourable contracts for the purchase of Russian oil and gas.<\/p>\n<h2>A potentially risky situation for Hungary<\/h2>\n<p>Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 argued against the decoupling, saying that alternative routes, like the Adria pipeline through Croatia, are not sufficient to replace the Drushba oil pipeline, the main route of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.<\/p>\n<p>\"Tests have clearly proven in recent weeks that this pipeline, in its current technical condition, is incapable of transporting large quantities of oil continuously, at high pressure,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>Citing an IMF report, Hungary's international spokesperson, Zolt\u00e1n Kov\u00e1cs, said on Wednesday\u00a0that Hungary\u2019s GDP would shrink by more than 4% if Russian gas supplies were cut off EU-wide.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1970852062679150827\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Talking to Euronews, Hungary's Ministerial Commissioner for direct EU Funds, Bernadett Petri, admitted that the international tensions around Hungary's fossil fuel imports is a potential risk for the country.<\/p>\n<p>\"Obviously, Hungary could be the loser in the energy-related give-and-take that is currently taking place on the global stage, but I think it will do everything to avoid that,\" Bernadett Petri said.<\/p>\n<p>Lately, Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia have stopped for days, after Ukraine bombed the Druzhba pipeline on Russian territory.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The EU could step in to support the transition<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Eamon Drumm, a research analyst at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, previously <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F09%2F11%2Fhungary-slovakia-under-pressure-as-us-and-eu-target-russia-with-energy-sanctions&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7Ca1e0f2f30a1a42a9626208ddfb85fb04%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638943275036424701%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=a9EV%2BADZ5FwUpalqwKqejg8vSHWiNsT8ElehTJFda4I%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>told Euronews that Hungary and Slovakia will be squeezed to drop Russian fossil fuels,<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0but both countries might apply for EU funding to do this.<\/p>\n<p>\"If this were to have an impact on Hungary, it would be through extracting more support from the EU for diversification efforts because the replacement of Russian oil and gas to a lesser extent, is costly, adds complexity, and there are challenges with the infrastructure as well,\" Eamon Drumm said.<\/p>\n<p>Asked by Euronews, a European Commission spokesperson\u00a0said the executive will work together with Hungary and Slovakia on the issue of decoupling from Russian oil.<\/p>\n<p>\"We continue to work intensely with them to ensure a smooth diversification, smooth transition, and to help them find alternative supplies,\" Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said, adding: \"We obviously understand the concerns that have been raised both by Slovakia and Hungary in this context. And the work continues. We have set up various kinds of formats at the technical level, at the political level, to stay in touch and to take this work further.\"<\/p>\n<p>The Hungarian government did not comment on the talks with the Commission.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission previously presented an ambitious roadmap to eliminate all purchases of Russian fossil fuels <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F05%2F06%2Feu-sets-2027-as-deadline-to-phase-out-all-russian-energy-including-lng&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7Ca1e0f2f30a1a42a9626208ddfb85fb04%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638943275036435720%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jPyxXSarrU6gb2mvoIgO%2BnIjttGPV0mW%2BlhCNHYeVuI%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">by the end of 2027<\/a>\u00a0at the latest.<\/p>\n<p>But amid heavy pressure from Donald Trump, who has urged Europeans to cut all energy ties with Moscow, Brussels has taken a step to speed things up in a new sanctions package, which, if approved, will bring the end of Russian LNG one year earlier to 1 January 2027.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1758716969,"updatedAt":1759227521,"publishedAt":1758776303,"firstPublishedAt":1758776303,"lastPublishedAt":1759227521,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/16\/12\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3c7a96a0-7027-5344-88b0-f36fde248cba-9481612.jpg","altText":"FILE - President Donald Trump welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the White House in Washington, May 13, 2019. (AP Photo\/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)","caption":"FILE - President Donald Trump welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the White House in Washington, May 13, 2019. (AP Photo\/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1332}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"},{"id":13222,"slug":"oil","urlSafeValue":"oil","title":"Oil","titleRaw":"Oil"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2809424},{"id":2826015}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/25\/hungary-seeks-to-dodge-trump-pressure-to-cut-russia-oil-imports","lastModified":1759227521},{"id":2832482,"cid":9474415,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ORBAN ON ANTIFA","daletPyramidId":2759803,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"PM Viktor Orb\u00e1n follows Trump and says Hungary will designate antifa a terrorist organisation","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary to designate antifa a terrorist organisation, Orb\u00e1n says","titleListing2":"PM Viktor Orb\u00e1n follows Trump and says Hungary will designate antifa a terrorist organisation","leadin":"Antifa, short for \"anti-fascist,\" is an umbrella term for loosely affiliated far-left activists and groups that resist fascism, fascists and neo-Nazis, especially at demonstrations.","summary":"Antifa, short for \"anti-fascist,\" is an umbrella term for loosely affiliated far-left activists and groups that resist fascism, fascists and neo-Nazis, especially at demonstrations.","keySentence":"","url":"pm-viktor-orban-follows-trump-and-says-hungary-will-designate-antifa-a-terrorist-organisat","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/09\/19\/pm-viktor-orban-follows-trump-and-says-hungary-will-designate-antifa-a-terrorist-organisat","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary will replicate a policy announced on Thursday by US President Donald Trump and designate antifa a terrorist organisation, Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n said on Friday.\n\nAntifa, short for \"anti-fascist,\" is an umbrella term for loosely affiliated far-left activists and groups that resist fascism, fascists and neo-Nazis, especially at demonstrations.\n\nIt resembles more an ideology than an actual organisation, though some have embraced militant tactics.\n\nOrb\u00e1n, a right-wing politician and strong ally of Trump, said in comments to state radio on Friday that he was \"pleased\" by\u00a0the White House announcement\u00a0that it would designate antifa a \"major terrorist organisation\" in the United States.\n\n\"Antifa is indeed a terrorist organisation,\" Orb\u00e1n said. \"In Hungary, too, the time has come for us to classify organisations such as antifa as terrorist organisations, following the American model.\"\n\nIt was unclear what prompted Orb\u00e1n\u2019s decision to make the move.\n\nAntifascist groups rarely engage in political actions in Hungary, where Orb\u00e1n and his party have held near-total power for more than 15 years.\n\nPolitical violence\n\nIn his statement on Friday, Orb\u00e1n referenced a 2023 incident in which antifascist activists engaged in assaults against several suspected participants in an annual far-right event\u00a0in Budapest.\n\nOne of the alleged assailants, Italian\u00a0activist Ilaria Salis, was jailed in Hungary for over a year following the assaults, resulting in a diplomatic dispute between Rome and Budapest over her treatment in detention.\n\nSalis was released to house arrest in May 2024 before winning a seat in the European Parliament, as a result of which she gained legal immunity.\n\nHungary continues to demand that she be returned to face trial, where prosecutors have sought an 11-year sentence.\n\nOn Friday, Orb\u00e1n bemoaned Salis' release, saying antifa had \"come to Hungary and beaten peaceful people in the street, some were beaten half to death, and then they became European members of parliament and from there lecture Hungary on the rule of law.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary will replicate a policy announced on Thursday by US President Donald Trump and designate antifa a terrorist organisation, Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n said on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Antifa, short for \"anti-fascist,\" is an umbrella term for loosely affiliated far-left activists and groups that resist fascism, fascists and neo-Nazis, especially at demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p>It resembles more an ideology than an actual organisation, though some have embraced militant tactics.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n, a right-wing politician and strong ally of Trump, said in comments to state radio on Friday that he was \"pleased\" by\u00a0the White House announcement\u00a0that it would designate antifa a \"major terrorist organisation\" in the United States.<\/p>\n<p>\"Antifa is indeed a terrorist organisation,\" Orb\u00e1n said. \"In Hungary, too, the time has come for us to classify organisations such as antifa as terrorist organisations, following the American model.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//36//26//55//808x539_cmsv2_36072396-7826-5322-99f3-cdd0c9128ebe-9362655.jpg/" alt=\"Hungary&#39;s Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, 26 June, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/26\/55\/384x256_cmsv2_36072396-7826-5322-99f3-cdd0c9128ebe-9362655.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/26\/55\/640x427_cmsv2_36072396-7826-5322-99f3-cdd0c9128ebe-9362655.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/26\/55\/750x500_cmsv2_36072396-7826-5322-99f3-cdd0c9128ebe-9362655.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/26\/55\/828x552_cmsv2_36072396-7826-5322-99f3-cdd0c9128ebe-9362655.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/26\/55\/1080x720_cmsv2_36072396-7826-5322-99f3-cdd0c9128ebe-9362655.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/26\/55\/1200x800_cmsv2_36072396-7826-5322-99f3-cdd0c9128ebe-9362655.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/26\/55\/1920x1280_cmsv2_36072396-7826-5322-99f3-cdd0c9128ebe-9362655.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hungary&#39;s Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, 26 June, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>It was unclear what prompted Orb\u00e1n\u2019s decision to make the move. <\/p>\n<p>Antifascist groups rarely engage in political actions in Hungary, where Orb\u00e1n and his party have held near-total power for more than 15 years.<\/p>\n<h2>Political violence<\/h2>\n<p>In his statement on Friday, Orb\u00e1n referenced a 2023 incident in which antifascist activists engaged in assaults against several suspected participants in an annual far-right event\u00a0in Budapest.<\/p>\n<p>One of the alleged assailants, Italian\u00a0activist Ilaria Salis, was jailed in Hungary for over a year following the assaults, resulting in a diplomatic dispute between Rome and Budapest over her treatment in detention.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//47//44//15//808x539_cmsv2_7ad95943-062c-5a86-bac3-6079915bd86f-9474415.jpg/" alt=\"Hundreds of antifascist activists gather to oppose an annual commemoration held by far-right groups in Budapest, 10 February, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/44\/15\/384x256_cmsv2_7ad95943-062c-5a86-bac3-6079915bd86f-9474415.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/44\/15\/640x427_cmsv2_7ad95943-062c-5a86-bac3-6079915bd86f-9474415.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/44\/15\/750x500_cmsv2_7ad95943-062c-5a86-bac3-6079915bd86f-9474415.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/44\/15\/828x552_cmsv2_7ad95943-062c-5a86-bac3-6079915bd86f-9474415.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/44\/15\/1080x720_cmsv2_7ad95943-062c-5a86-bac3-6079915bd86f-9474415.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/44\/15\/1200x800_cmsv2_7ad95943-062c-5a86-bac3-6079915bd86f-9474415.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/44\/15\/1920x1280_cmsv2_7ad95943-062c-5a86-bac3-6079915bd86f-9474415.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Hundreds of antifascist activists gather to oppose an annual commemoration held by far-right groups in Budapest, 10 February, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//06//14//italian-activist-ilaria-salis-released-after-15-months-in-prison-following-mep-election-wi/">Salis was released to house arrest in May 2024<\/a> before winning a seat in the European Parliament, as a result of which she gained legal immunity.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary continues to demand that she be returned to face trial, where prosecutors have sought an 11-year sentence.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, Orb\u00e1n bemoaned Salis' release, saying antifa had \"come to Hungary and beaten peaceful people in the street, some were beaten half to death, and then they became European members of parliament and from there lecture Hungary on the rule of law.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1758285636,"updatedAt":1761027004,"publishedAt":1758300851,"firstPublishedAt":1758300851,"lastPublishedAt":1758301309,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/44\/15\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_edd9bd7f-9a0b-5452-b5dd-79d9989f9bbc-9474415.jpg","altText":"Hundreds of antifascist activists gather to oppose an annual commemoration held by far-right groups in Budapest, 10 February, 2024","caption":"Hundreds of antifascist activists gather to oppose an annual commemoration held by far-right groups in Budapest, 10 February, 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1621,"height":911},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/47\/44\/15\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7ad95943-062c-5a86-bac3-6079915bd86f-9474415.jpg","altText":"Hundreds of antifascist activists gather to oppose an annual commemoration held by far-right groups in Budapest, 10 February, 2024","caption":"Hundreds of antifascist activists gather to oppose an annual commemoration held by far-right groups in Budapest, 10 February, 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/26\/55\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_36072396-7826-5322-99f3-cdd0c9128ebe-9362655.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, 26 June, 2025","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, 26 June, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":718,"urlSafeValue":"tanacs","title":"G\u00e1bor Tan\u00e1cs","twitter":null},{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":95,"slug":"eu-parliament","urlSafeValue":"eu-parliament","title":"EU Parliament","titleRaw":"EU Parliament"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":11900,"slug":"donald-trump","urlSafeValue":"donald-trump","title":"Donald Trump","titleRaw":"Donald Trump"},{"id":12087,"slug":"court","urlSafeValue":"court","title":"Court","titleRaw":"Court"},{"id":13970,"slug":"anti-fascist","urlSafeValue":"anti-fascist","title":"anti-fascist","titleRaw":"anti-fascist"},{"id":29940,"slug":"ilaria-salis","urlSafeValue":"ilaria-salis","title":"Ilaria Salis","titleRaw":"Ilaria Salis"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2830251},{"id":2828126}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":{"id":1764,"urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":3,"slug":"openai","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"hu","storyId":9474357,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/09\/19\/pm-viktor-orban-follows-trump-and-says-hungary-will-designate-antifa-a-terrorist-organisat","lastModified":1758301309},{"id":2830823,"cid":9464327,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NEXT EU TECH LOOP RUSSIA","daletPyramidId":2697026,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"The democracy paradox: Why no political ads may empower illiberals","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"The democracy paradox: Why no political ads may empower illiberals","titleListing2":"The democracy paradox: why no political ads may empower illiberals","leadin":"The EU\u2019s new political ad rules, taking effect in Oct 2025, pushed Meta and Google to discontinue political ads in Europe. While meant to boost transparency, the situation risks aiding regimes like Orb\u00e1n\u2019s Fidesz, which dominate media and can drown out opposition voices.","summary":"The EU\u2019s new political ad rules, taking effect in Oct 2025, pushed Meta and Google to discontinue political ads in Europe. While meant to boost transparency, the situation risks aiding regimes like Orb\u00e1n\u2019s Fidesz, which dominate media and can drown out opposition voices.","keySentence":"","url":"the-democracy-paradox-why-no-political-ads-may-empower-illiberals","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/2025\/09\/13\/the-democracy-paradox-why-no-political-ads-may-empower-illiberals","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The EU's new political advertising regulations, which come into force in October 2025, resulted in Meta and Google platforms choosing to discontinue political and social advertising throughout Europe.\u00a0\n\nAlthough the EU\u2019s Regulation on the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) was designed to ensure a fairer and more transparent media and advertising environment, it may give an unexpected advantage to illiberal regimes that control traditional media, state resources, and organisations disguised as civil society groups.\n\nThe Hungarian example\n\nFor example, in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n\u2019s party, Fidesz, exercises significant control over the regional press, reinforces its own narratives through political networks disguised as civil society organisations, and has an extensive media empire.\u00a0\n\nThe upcoming absence of paid online advertising is not a disadvantage but rather an opportunity for the Fidesz party: it restricts one of the opposition\u2019s main avenues of action while allowing the government\u2019s narratives to spread unchecked, amplify their messaging, and, through proxies, dominate social media platforms.\n\nThe upcoming 2026 Hungarian elections could be a severe test of this dilemma. While the paid political advertising discontinuation theoretically applies to all political actors, it puts the opposition (which relies on independent social media platforms more than anyone else) in a more difficult position.\n\nFidesz will mobilise its organisations disguised as civil society groups with an organic following and its extensive network of newspapers, which may find loopholes to evade the ban. These channels can easily influence public opinion in rural areas, spreading content disguised as organic on social media and continuously reinforcing the government's narrative.\n\nUnintended consequences\n\nIn conclusion, paid political advertising changes in the EU can create conditions in which political competition becomes distorted rather than balanced, giving authoritarian regimes a blank check to strengthen their narratives further.\n\nThis article originally appeared in EU Tech Loop and has been published on Euronews as part of an agreement.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The EU's new <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eutechloop.com//gloomy-times-ahead-for-european-political-advertising///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">political advertising regulations<\/a>, which come into force in October 2025, resulted in Meta and Google platforms choosing to discontinue political and social advertising throughout Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Although the EU\u2019s Regulation on the Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) was <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur-lex.europa.eu//EN//legal-content//summary//transparency-and-targeting-of-political-advertising.html?ref=eutechloop.com\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">designed<\/a> to ensure a fairer and more transparent media and advertising environment, it may give an unexpected advantage to illiberal regimes that control traditional media, state resources, and organisations disguised as civil society groups.<\/p>\n<h3>The Hungarian example<\/h3>\n<p>For example, in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n\u2019s party, Fidesz, exercises significant control over the regional press, reinforces its own narratives through political networks disguised as civil society organisations, and has an extensive media empire.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The upcoming absence of paid online advertising is not a disadvantage but rather an opportunity for the Fidesz party: it restricts one of the opposition\u2019s main avenues of action while allowing the government\u2019s narratives to spread unchecked, amplify their messaging, and, through proxies, dominate social media platforms.<\/p>\n<p>The upcoming 2026 Hungarian elections could be a severe test of this dilemma. While the paid political advertising discontinuation theoretically applies to all political actors, it puts the opposition (which relies on independent social media platforms more than anyone else) in a more difficult position.<\/p>\n<p>Fidesz will mobilise its organisations disguised as civil society groups with an organic following and its extensive network of newspapers, which may find loopholes to evade the ban. These channels can easily influence public opinion in rural areas, spreading content disguised as organic on social media and continuously reinforcing the government's narrative.<\/p>\n<h3>Unintended consequences<\/h3>\n<p>In conclusion, paid political advertising changes in the EU can create conditions in which political competition becomes distorted rather than balanced, giving authoritarian regimes a blank check to strengthen their narratives further.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article originally appeared in <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eutechloop.com//the-democracy-paradox///" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">EU Tech Loop<\/a> and has been published on Euronews as part of an agreement.<\/em> <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1757684256,"updatedAt":1757749828,"publishedAt":1757739665,"firstPublishedAt":1757739665,"lastPublishedAt":1757739734,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/43\/27\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_617a7004-b8a1-5c7c-a3dd-5516ca130736-9464327.jpg","altText":"The democracy paradox","caption":"The democracy paradox","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Canva","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1280,"height":720}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":12581,"slug":"democracy","urlSafeValue":"democracy","title":"Democracy","titleRaw":"Democracy"},{"id":26450,"slug":"big-tech","urlSafeValue":"big-tech","title":"Big Tech","titleRaw":"Big Tech"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":7715,"slug":"advertising","urlSafeValue":"advertising","title":"Advertising","titleRaw":"Advertising"},{"id":22480,"slug":"euroviews","urlSafeValue":"euroviews","title":"Euroviews","titleRaw":"Euroviews"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2832534}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Zolt\u00e1n K\u00e9sz, former MP from Hungary, now editor EU Tech Loop ","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"tech-news","urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/tech-news\/tech-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"next","verticals":[{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"},"themes":[{"id":"tech-news","urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News","url":"\/next\/tech-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":40,"urlSafeValue":"tech-news","title":"Tech News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":1,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/next\/2025\/09\/13\/the-democracy-paradox-why-no-political-ads-may-empower-illiberals","lastModified":1757739734},{"id":2830250,"cid":9460635,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ORBAN COSTA MEETING ","daletPyramidId":2676000,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Orb\u00e1n and European Council President Costa silent on details of meeting","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Orb\u00e1n and EU Council President Costa silent on details of meeting","titleListing2":"Orb\u00e1n and European Council President Costa silent on details of meeting","leadin":"The head of the European Council is touring the European capitals. But after one of his most watched visits, both sides remained silent about the meeting.","summary":"The head of the European Council is touring the European capitals. But after one of his most watched visits, both sides remained silent about the meeting.","keySentence":"","url":"orban-and-european-council-president-costa-silent-on-details-of-meeting","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/11\/orban-and-european-council-president-costa-silent-on-details-of-meeting","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n broke away from a cabinet meeting in Budapest to host EU Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa on Wednesday, but neither revealed details of the substance of their discussion.\n\n\"During a break in today\u2019s Cabinet meeting, I discussed the challenges facing the European Union with Antonio Costa,\" Orb\u00e1n wrote subsequently in a post on X.\n\nCosta similarly posted on X, stating that he had a very useful exchange \"focused on Europe's priorities and on how to build unity to achieve them\".\n\nAfter the meeting, the leaders held no press conference and issued no statements. Euronews has reached out to the press team of Costa and Orb\u00e1n, but no further details were given.\n\nHungary blocks EU unity in many areas\n\nThe EU is at odds with Hungary on several issues, primarily regarding its support for Ukraine. Hungary has regularly opposed financial or military support to Kyiv, calling instead for diplomatic efforts and peace talks.\n\nHungary blocked the disbursal of the European Peace Facility\u00a0to Ukraine, worth \u20ac6.6\u00a0billion,\u00a0and also vetoed the start of the accession talks with Ukraine.\n\nOrb\u00e1n believes Ukraine's EU accession would be an economic disaster for Europe and for Hungary.\n\nThe EU has issued several statements on Ukraine on behalf of the \"EU 26\", without Hungary. Budapest did not\u00a0condemn the Russian air strike on Kyiv in late August and declined to sign a statement in support of Ukraine\u00a0ahead of the US-Russia summit in Alaska.\n\nThe EU and Hungary are also at odds\u00a0over rule of law issues. Currently, most of Hungary's EU funds are suspended because of alleged corruption and rule of law concerns.\n\nOrb\u00e1n met Costa last met bilaterally in February. The current European tour of Costa is a part of European diplomacy ahead of the two major European summits in October.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n broke away from a cabinet meeting in Budapest to host EU Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa on Wednesday, but neither revealed details of the substance of their discussion.<\/p>\n<p>\"During a break in today\u2019s Cabinet meeting, I discussed the challenges facing the European Union with Antonio Costa,\" Orb\u00e1n wrote subsequently in a post on X.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1965782012117348556\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Costa similarly posted on X, stating that he had a very useful exchange \"focused on Europe's priorities and on how to build unity to achieve them\".<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1965779334603640929\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>After the meeting, the leaders held no press conference and issued no statements. Euronews has reached out to the press team of Costa and Orb\u00e1n, but no further details were given.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Hungary blocks EU unity in many areas<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The EU is at odds with Hungary on several issues, primarily regarding its support for Ukraine. Hungary has regularly opposed financial or military support to Kyiv, calling instead for diplomatic efforts and peace talks.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary blocked the disbursal of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2024%2F10%2F14%2Fwhat-is-the-european-peace-facility-and-why-hungary-is-blocking-the-disbursements-to-ukrai&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7C32bc8a74167b4d49f16208ddf1132680%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638931786744700916%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BaUlptzvEZ0jH1OqsU0JZLARr3eC8PNvjJc9qGgE37M%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>the European Peace Facility<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to Ukraine, worth \u20ac6.6\u00a0billion,\u00a0and also vetoed the start of the accession talks with Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n believes Ukraine's EU accession would be an economic disaster for Europe and for Hungary.<\/p>\n<p>The EU has issued several statements on Ukraine on behalf of the \"EU 26\", without Hungary. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F08%2F29%2Fhungary-declines-to-condemn-russian-attack-on-kyiv-which-damaged-eu-building&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7C32bc8a74167b4d49f16208ddf1132680%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638931786744891191%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FU1jPMVak055jKgNb8%2BRAlW4N1So4HUCGQrn1PBxKGI%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Budapest<\/strong> <\/a><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F08%2F29%2Fhungary-declines-to-condemn-russian-attack-on-kyiv-which-damaged-eu-building&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7C32bc8a74167b4d49f16208ddf1132680%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638931786744908334%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=E17f95NSmnOO0Vr1DA1ohzcyziyOwd7W7RUiUTeYdig%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>did not<\/strong><\/a><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F08%2F29%2Fhungary-declines-to-condemn-russian-attack-on-kyiv-which-damaged-eu-building&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7C32bc8a74167b4d49f16208ddf1132680%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638931786744925245%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OvIgTB%2Bu5PTJ%2F2W4BML7YxJ9S%2BIhwgGV0jk%2BvDXis5A%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">\u00a0<strong>condemn the Russian<\/strong><\/a> air strike on Kyiv in late August and declined <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F08%2F12%2F26-eu-countries-issue-a-statement-in-support-of-ukraine-ahead-of-the-alaska-talks-without-&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7C32bc8a74167b4d49f16208ddf1132680%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638931786744944971%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vKYKn1Qq6MsBsXaPaudd4u9fYWugNZh7Eu%2FOLbuep6U%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>to sign a statement in support of Ukraine<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0ahead of the US-Russia summit in Alaska.<\/p>\n<p>The EU and Hungary are also at odds\u00a0over rule of law issues. Currently, most of Hungary's EU funds are suspended because of alleged corruption and rule of law concerns.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n met Costa last met bilaterally in February. The current European tour of Costa is a part of European diplomacy ahead of the two major European summits in October.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1757516837,"updatedAt":1757582577,"publishedAt":1757582018,"firstPublishedAt":1757582018,"lastPublishedAt":1757582577,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/46\/06\/35\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_82c31873-3c4c-5dd4-8e1e-fbaa46228e40-9460635.jpg","altText":"The president of the European Council, Antoni\u00f3 Costa, with Hungarian Prime Ninister Viktor Orb\u00e1n in Budapest","caption":"The president of the European Council, Antoni\u00f3 Costa, with Hungarian Prime Ninister Viktor Orb\u00e1n in Budapest","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Alexandros MICHAILIDIS\/Alexandros MICHAILIDIS","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":800,"height":533}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":28682,"slug":"european-council","urlSafeValue":"european-council","title":"European Council","titleRaw":"European Council"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2828126},{"id":2822199}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/11\/orban-and-european-council-president-costa-silent-on-details-of-meeting","lastModified":1757582577},{"id":2830251,"cid":9460636,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"ORBAN POLAND SOLIDARITY ","daletPyramidId":2676003,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary's Viktor Orb\u00e1n's rare show of solidarity with Poland rebuffed by Warsaw","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary's Viktor Orb\u00e1n in rare show of solidarity with Poland","titleListing2":"Hungary's Viktor Orb\u00e1n's rare show of solidarity with Poland rebuffed by Warsaw","leadin":"In a rare statement of solidarity, Orb\u00e1n said Hungary's call for peace was rational. The Polish Foreign Minister responded on social media, demanding that Hungary condemn Russian aggression and withdraw its veto over Ukraine's EU bid.","summary":"In a rare statement of solidarity, Orb\u00e1n said Hungary's call for peace was rational. The Polish Foreign Minister responded on social media, demanding that Hungary condemn Russian aggression and withdraw its veto over Ukraine's EU bid.","keySentence":"","url":"hungarys-viktor-orbans-rare-show-of-solidarity-with-poland-rebuffed-by-warsaw","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/10\/hungarys-viktor-orbans-rare-show-of-solidarity-with-poland-rebuffed-by-warsaw","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary's Prime Minister expressed solidarity with Poland after Russian drones allegedly violated Polish airspace. But the gesture resulted backlash from Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who fired back angrily at Orb\u00e1n on social media X.\n\nViktor Orb\u00e1n's gesture was out of keeping, given diplomatic ties between the two countries are at their lowest ebb in decades.\n\n\"Hungary stands in full solidarity with Poland following the recent drone incident. The violation of Poland\u2019s territorial integrity is unacceptable,\" Orb\u00e1n wrote in a post on X.\n\n\"The incident proves that our policy of calling for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war is reasonable and rational. Living in the shadow of a war is fraught with risks and dangers. It\u2019s time to make it stop! To this end, we support the efforts of President Donald Trump aimed at achieving peace,\"\u00a0the post read.\n\nEarlier, Poland requested the activation of NATO's Article 4, to convey urgent consultation with the allies, after its armed forces downed multiple Russian drones that had entered its airspace.\n\nIt was the most serious violation of the Polish airspace since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The debris of the drones was found in Eastern Poland, near the Belarusian border.\n\nOrb\u00e1n's\u00a0message was seen as exceptional by many, given the deep diplomatic crisis between Hungary and Poland. Poland recently withdrew its ambassador from Budapest, after Hungary offered political asylum for a former Polish deputy justice minister, Marcin Romanowski, who is wanted in Poland for fraud. Warsaw also vehemently criticised Hungary's positions in the EU - opposed to aid to Ukraine, and blocking Kyiv's EU\u00a0ambitions.\n\nOrb\u00e1n's solidarity post did not earn approval from the Polish government. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski replied to Orb\u00e1n, demanding condemnation of the Russian aggression.\n\n\"No, Victor (sic). The incident proves you should get off the fence and condemn Russian aggression. We ask you to unblock the disboursement of EU funds for defence, approve tougher sanctions on the aggressor, and withdraw your veto on starting Ukraine's EU accession negotiations,\" Sikorski wrote.\n\nHungarian Foreign Minister in Belarus, discussing business ties with Minsk\n\nThe Hungarian Foreign Minister, P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3, who had talks in Belarus on Wednesday, remained silent about the violation of the Polish airspace, although the drones entered the NATO airspace from Belarus. In a press statement, Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3\u00a0praised good economic ties between the two countries.\n\n\"Everything is in place to develop Hungarian-Belarusian economic relations in areas not affected by European Union sanctions; there are no open political issues between the two countries, and the legal and financial conditions are also in place,\"\u00a0P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said.\n\nBelarus is widely considered to be one of the closest allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin and is under EU sanctions in response to the 2020 fraudulent elections, for human rights abuses, and for supporting Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary's Prime Minister expressed solidarity with Poland after Russian drones allegedly violated Polish airspace. But the gesture resulted backlash from Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who fired back angrily at Orb\u00e1n on social media X.<\/p>\n<p>Viktor Orb\u00e1n's gesture was out of keeping, given diplomatic ties between the two countries are at their lowest ebb in decades.<\/p>\n<p>\"Hungary stands in full solidarity with Poland following the recent drone incident. The violation of Poland\u2019s territorial integrity is unacceptable,\" Orb\u00e1n wrote in a post on X.<\/p>\n<p>\"The incident proves that our policy of calling for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war is reasonable and rational. Living in the shadow of a war is fraught with risks and dangers. It\u2019s time to make it stop! To this end, we support the efforts of President Donald Trump aimed at achieving peace,\"\u00a0the post read.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1965699678957125729\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Earlier, Poland requested the activation of NATO's Article 4, to convey urgent consultation with the allies, after its armed forces downed multiple Russian drones that had entered its airspace.<\/p>\n<p>It was the most serious violation of the Polish airspace since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The debris of the drones was found in Eastern Poland, near the Belarusian border.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n's\u00a0message was seen as exceptional by many, given the deep diplomatic crisis between Hungary and Poland. Poland recently withdrew its ambassador from Budapest, after Hungary offered political asylum for a former Polish deputy justice minister, Marcin Romanowski, who is wanted in Poland for fraud. Warsaw also vehemently criticised Hungary's positions in the EU - opposed to aid to Ukraine, and blocking Kyiv's EU\u00a0ambitions.<\/p>\n<p>Orb\u00e1n's solidarity post did not earn approval from the Polish government. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski replied to Orb\u00e1n, demanding condemnation of the Russian aggression.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1965747983074680883\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"No, Victor (sic). The incident proves you should get off the fence and condemn Russian aggression. We ask you to unblock the disboursement of EU funds for defence, approve tougher sanctions on the aggressor, and withdraw your veto on starting Ukraine's EU accession negotiations,\" Sikorski wrote.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Hungarian Foreign Minister in Belarus, discussing business ties with Minsk<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Hungarian Foreign Minister, P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3, who had talks in Belarus on Wednesday, remained silent about the violation of the Polish airspace, although the drones entered the NATO airspace from Belarus. In a press statement, Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3\u00a0praised good economic ties between the two countries.<\/p>\n<p>\"Everything is in place to develop Hungarian-Belarusian economic relations in areas not affected by European Union sanctions; there are no open political issues between the two countries, and the legal and financial conditions are also in place,\"\u00a0P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said.<\/p>\n<p>Belarus is widely considered to be one of the closest allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin and is under EU sanctions in response to the 2020 fraudulent elections, for human rights abuses, and for supporting Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1757516859,"updatedAt":1757522540,"publishedAt":1757521452,"firstPublishedAt":1757521452,"lastPublishedAt":1757521452,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/44\/21\/77\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_606ea807-4903-58aa-a4ed-2e23b0cede7a-9442177.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. ","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":230,"slug":"poland","urlSafeValue":"poland","title":"Poland","titleRaw":"Poland"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2832482}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/09\/10\/hungarys-viktor-orbans-rare-show-of-solidarity-with-poland-rebuffed-by-warsaw","lastModified":1757521452},{"id":2827208,"cid":9442177,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"EU STATEMENT WITHOUT HUNGARY ","daletPyramidId":2567312,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary declines to condemn Russian attack on Kyiv which damaged EU building","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary declines to condemn Russian attack on Kyiv ","titleListing2":"Hungary declines to condemn Russian attack on Kyiv which damaged EU building","leadin":"The EU's high representative issued a statement calling the deadly attacks a war crime and calling for increased support for Ukraine. The document was signed by 26 member states, without Hungary.","summary":"The EU's high representative issued a statement calling the deadly attacks a war crime and calling for increased support for Ukraine. The document was signed by 26 member states, without Hungary.","keySentence":"","url":"hungary-declines-to-condemn-russian-attack-on-kyiv-which-damaged-eu-building","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/08\/29\/hungary-declines-to-condemn-russian-attack-on-kyiv-which-damaged-eu-building","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary has refused to sign an EU statement condemning the latest Russian attack on Ukraine. The document, prepared by the High Representative Kaja Kallas, was supported by the remaining 26 member states.\n\nRussia attacked Ukraine's capital on Wednesday night, killing 23 people, including several children. This was the second biggest aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.\u00a0\n\nThe EU representation in central Kyiv and the British Council premises were also damaged. The statement noted that endangering the lives of diplomats is a violation of international law.\n\n\"Intentional attacks against civilians and non-military objectives are war crimes. All commanders, perpetrators, and accomplices of these grave violations of international humanitarian law shall be held to account,\" the statement read.\n\nThe 26 signatory countries pledged further support to Ukraine to reach a just and lasting peace and called for fresh sanctions against Russia.\n\n\"The EU will continue and increase its comprehensive support to Ukraine on all strands, including by accelerating work on the 19th package of sanctions,\" the text said.\n\nOn Thursday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also called for strong sanctions against Russia in response to the attacks. It's not immediately clear why Hungary did not sign the letter, but Budapest has systematically rejected any calls for financial or military support for Ukraine. Euronews has reached out to the Hungarian government for comment.\n\nHungary is at odds with Ukraine over pipeline bombing\n\nHungary's diplomatic ties with Ukraine are very strained after Ukraine bombed the Druzhba pipeline installation on Russian territory, effectively halting oil imports to Hungary and Slovakia for days. In response, Hungary banned the commander of Ukraine's drone unit, Robert Brovdi, from its territory, but also from the whole Schengen Zone.\n\nThe issue also resulted in a protracted spat between Hungarian and Ukrainian\u00a0foreign ministers on the social media platform X. Hungary's government is also seeking to block Ukraine's EU accession. In a government-organised survey of opinion - Voks2025 - more than two million Hungarians, around 95% of respondents, opposed Ukraine joining the EU.\n\nHungary has frequently vetoed joint EU statements on Ukraine in the past, but lately the remaining 26 EU countries have tended to bypass Budapest and issue statements in their names.\u00a0\n\nTwo weeks ago, Hungary also refused to sign a statement\u00a0supporting Ukraine ahead of the Alaska talks between the United States and Russia. Then, Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n said the EU should not set conditions for a meeting\u00a0to which it was not invited, and instead proposed the EU should organise its own summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary has refused to sign an EU statement condemning the latest Russian attack on Ukraine. The document, prepared by the High Representative Kaja Kallas, was supported by the remaining 26 member states.<\/p>\n<p>Russia attacked Ukraine's capital on Wednesday night, killing 23 people, including several children. This was the second biggest aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The EU representation in central Kyiv and the British Council premises were also damaged. The statement noted that endangering the lives of diplomats is a violation of international law.<\/p>\n<p>\"Intentional attacks against civilians and non-military objectives are war crimes. All commanders, perpetrators, and accomplices of these grave violations of international humanitarian law shall be held to account,\" the statement read.<\/p>\n<p>The 26 signatory countries pledged further support to Ukraine to reach a just and lasting peace and called for fresh sanctions against Russia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9439662\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//08//28//rescuers-search-rubble-after-deadly-missile-and-drone-strikes-in-kyiv/">Rescuers search rubble after deadly missile and drone strikes in Kyiv<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"The EU will continue and increase its comprehensive support to Ukraine on all strands, including by accelerating work on the 19th package of sanctions,\" the text said.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also called for strong sanctions against Russia in response to the attacks. It's not immediately clear why Hungary did not sign the letter, but Budapest has systematically rejected any calls for financial or military support for Ukraine. Euronews has reached out to the Hungarian government for comment.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Hungary is at odds with Ukraine over pipeline bombing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Hungary's diplomatic ties with Ukraine are very strained after Ukraine bombed the Druzhba pipeline installation on Russian territory, effectively halting oil imports to Hungary and Slovakia for days. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F08%2F28%2Fhungary-sanctions-ukrainian-drone-commander-for-bombing-oil-pipeline-in-russia&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7Cf179d1a52bee4e497fdb08dde7132ddf%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638920791769150110%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rwrpDDIUyxFgjGEvyw%2BJSsYn7mY2okumHfxMofKSfrQ%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>In response, Hungary banned the commander of Ukraine's drone unit,<\/strong> <\/a>Robert Brovdi, from its territory, but also from the whole Schengen Zone.<\/p>\n<p>The issue also resulted <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F08%2F25%2Fhungary-and-slovakia-in-spat-with-ukraine-over-bombed-druzhba-oil-pipeline&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7Cf179d1a52bee4e497fdb08dde7132ddf%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638920791769164730%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6ljukgNwfsIjslcM%2B1MwUpkLc%2FxkO4watkymrgpZzCM%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>in a<\/strong> <\/a><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F08%2F25%2Fhungary-and-slovakia-in-spat-with-ukraine-over-bombed-druzhba-oil-pipeline&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7Cf179d1a52bee4e497fdb08dde7132ddf%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638920791769176534%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=CCQh5T%2Be5CMGCYomcjZZG6UxJ9pA%2FwUiVCcHayEOKq4%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>protracted<\/strong> <\/a><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F08%2F25%2Fhungary-and-slovakia-in-spat-with-ukraine-over-bombed-druzhba-oil-pipeline&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7Cf179d1a52bee4e497fdb08dde7132ddf%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638920791769188067%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yG%2B%2FLUjr2uDthrkduEtIRf%2Bvlfi1z8LhoJ%2BktQdVyBU%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>spat between Hungarian and Ukrainian<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0foreign ministers on the social media platform X. Hungary's government is also seeking to block Ukraine's EU accession. In a government-organised survey of opinion - Voks2025 - more than two million Hungarians, around 95% of respondents, opposed Ukraine joining the EU.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary has frequently vetoed joint EU statements on Ukraine in the past, but lately the remaining 26 EU countries have tended to bypass Budapest and issue statements in their names.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Two weeks ago, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com//?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fmy-europe%2F2025%2F08%2F12%2F26-eu-countries-issue-a-statement-in-support-of-ukraine-ahead-of-the-alaska-talks-without-&data=05%7C02%7Csandor.zsiros%40euronews.net%7Cf179d1a52bee4e497fdb08dde7132ddf%7Ce59fa28a32ed49aca5a09c46118cfecf%7C0%7C0%7C638920791769199745%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Q%2Bieuy9SubjGtdFl3nJiNFUhiL5PxkBjYfJ10Qy4hqk%3D&reserved=0\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Hungary also refused to sign a statement<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0supporting Ukraine ahead of the Alaska talks between the United States and Russia. Then, Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n said the EU should not set conditions for a meeting\u00a0to which it was not invited, and instead proposed the EU should organise its own summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1756477566,"updatedAt":1756482852,"publishedAt":1756482670,"firstPublishedAt":1756482670,"lastPublishedAt":1756482670,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/44\/21\/77\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_606ea807-4903-58aa-a4ed-2e23b0cede7a-9442177.jpg","altText":"https:\/\/www.eeas.europa.eu\/eeas\/ukrainerussia-statement-high-representative-latest-russian-attacks-against-ukraine_en","caption":"https:\/\/www.eeas.europa.eu\/eeas\/ukrainerussia-statement-high-representative-latest-russian-attacks-against-ukraine_en","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":26692,"slug":"war-in-ukraine","urlSafeValue":"war-in-ukraine","title":"War in Ukraine","titleRaw":"War in Ukraine"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2827344},{"id":2827403},{"id":2833634}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/08\/29\/hungary-declines-to-condemn-russian-attack-on-kyiv-which-damaged-eu-building","lastModified":1756482670},{"id":2826824,"cid":9439687,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"HUNGARY SANCTIONS UKRAINE COMMANDER ","daletPyramidId":2542820,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary sanctions Ukrainian drone commander for bombing oil pipeline in Russia","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary sanctions Ukrainian drone commander for oil pipeline bombing","titleListing2":"Hungary sanctions Ukrainian drone commander for bombing oil pipeline in Russia","leadin":"Robert Brovdi is a key commander of Ukraine's Armed Forces. Hungary's sanctions will see him face difficulties entering the Schengen Zone, including NATO institutions.","summary":"Robert Brovdi is a key commander of Ukraine's Armed Forces. Hungary's sanctions will see him face difficulties entering the Schengen Zone, including NATO institutions.","keySentence":"","url":"hungary-sanctions-ukrainian-drone-commander-for-bombing-oil-pipeline-in-russia","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/08\/28\/hungary-sanctions-ukrainian-drone-commander-for-bombing-oil-pipeline-in-russia","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hungary has imposed a travel ban on\u00a0the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces after three consecutive attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline on Russian territory. \n\nThe attacks halted oil imports to Hungary and to Slovakia for days. The sanction was announced by Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3, who\u00a0said the country considered the pipeline attacks a threat to national sovereignty.\n\n\"We have decided to ban the commander of the military unit that carried out the recent extremely serious attacks on the Friendship oil pipeline from Hungary and from the entire Schengen area,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said. \n\n\"This Ukrainian citizen will not be allowed to enter Hungary or the Schengen area in the coming years,\" the minister added.\n\nDiplomatic spat between Hungary and Ukraine deepens\n\nUkraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, replied to his Hungarian counterpart on X, denouncing Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3's statement as\u00a0shameless and announcing countermeasures.\n\n\"Peter, if the Russian pipeline is more important to you than the Ukrainian children killed by Russia this morning, this is a moral decay. Hungary is on the wrong side of history. We'll take mirror action,\" the minister said.\n\nAlthough the original press release did not name the targeted person, the political advisor of Hungary's prime minister, Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n, confirmed to Hungarian media that the statement related to\u00a0Robert Brovdi, a commander of Ukraine's drone unit. \n\nBrovdi was appointed to lead the key unit in June and admitted earlier on his personal Facebook account that his units were behind the attacks on the pipelines. \n\nHe also posted a video on his Telegram channel of the explosions after the recent bombings on Thursday evening. \n\nBrovdi, whose call name is Magyar, meaning Hungarian, added a like, saying: \"Russians go home.\" \n\nUkraine did not officially admit to hitting the pipeline infrastructure on Russian soil. The travel ban on Brovdi also means he cannot enter the Schengen Zone\u2014 therefore, he cannot join key NATO meetings on European soil. \n\nIn July, Brovdi participated in a LANDEURO meeting, an international meeting and exhibition of land forces at a NATO military base at Wiesbaden in Germany. \n\nLast Friday, Hungary and Slovakia jointly sent a letter to the European Commission, demanding action against Ukraine\u00a0in response to the attacks on the Druzhba pipeline. Both countries argued that Ukraine posed a threat to their energy supplies. \n\nIn a reply, the Commission argued that since strategic oil reserves in Slovakia and Hungary are intact, there is no risk to the security of supply in the countries.\n\nHungary must justify the Schengen entry ban\n\nAccording to the Schengen Code, which regulates the passport-free travel zone, each member state can ban individuals from entering its territory in case they pose a threat to national security. \n\nTo do this, this country needs to fulfil certain conditions that justify the decision. This decision can also be challenged in court. Once the entry ban is in place, the details are uploaded into the Schengen Information System, and other Schengen countries need to apply this ban automatically. \n\nThey can also give certain exceptions, if they consider humanitarian reasons or national interests. This means in practice that if Robert Provdi wishes to enter a Schengen Country, the information system will send a notification that he is a subject of an entry ban. But the local authorities can still give him permission to enter. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hungary has imposed a travel ban on\u00a0the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces after three consecutive attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline on Russian territory. <\/p>\n<p>The attacks halted oil imports to Hungary and to Slovakia for days. The sanction was announced by Hungarian Foreign Minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3, who\u00a0said the country considered the pipeline attacks a threat to national sovereignty.<\/p>\n<p>\"We have decided to ban the commander of the military unit that carried out the recent extremely serious attacks on the Friendship oil pipeline from Hungary and from the entire Schengen area,\" Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 said. <\/p>\n<p>\"This Ukrainian citizen will not be allowed to enter Hungary or the Schengen area in the coming years,\" the minister added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1960965261739040946\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2><strong>Diplomatic spat between Hungary and Ukraine deepens<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, replied to his Hungarian counterpart on X, denouncing Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3's statement as\u00a0shameless and announcing countermeasures.<\/p>\n<p>\"Peter, if the Russian pipeline is more important to you than the Ukrainian children killed by Russia this morning, this is a moral decay. Hungary is on the wrong side of history. We'll take mirror action,\" the minister said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1960985434516779356\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Although the original press release did not name the targeted person, the political advisor of Hungary's prime minister, Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n, confirmed to Hungarian media that the statement related to\u00a0Robert Brovdi, a commander of Ukraine's drone unit. <\/p>\n<p>Brovdi was appointed to lead the key unit in June and admitted earlier on his personal Facebook account that his units were behind the attacks on the pipelines. <\/p>\n<p>He also posted a video on his Telegram channel of the explosions after the recent bombings on Thursday evening. <\/p>\n<p>Brovdi, whose call name is Magyar, meaning Hungarian, added a like, saying: \"Russians go home.\" <\/p>\n<p>Ukraine did not officially admit to hitting the pipeline infrastructure on Russian soil. The travel ban on Brovdi also means he cannot enter the Schengen Zone\u2014 therefore, he cannot join key NATO meetings on European soil. <\/p>\n<p>In July, Brovdi participated in a LANDEURO meeting, an international meeting and exhibition of land forces at a NATO military base at Wiesbaden in Germany. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9438842,9434315\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//08//25//hungary-and-slovakia-in-spat-with-ukraine-over-bombed-druzhba-oil-pipeline/">Hungary and Slovakia in spat with Ukraine over bombed Druzhba oil pipeline<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//08//27//hungary-sues-eu-over-frozen-russian-assets-being-used-to-provide-ukraine-aid/">Hungary sues EU over frozen Russian assets being used to provide Ukraine aid<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Last Friday, Hungary and Slovakia jointly sent a letter to the European Commission, demanding action against Ukraine\u00a0in response to the attacks on the Druzhba pipeline. Both countries argued that Ukraine posed a threat to their energy supplies. <\/p>\n<p>In a reply, the Commission argued that since strategic oil reserves in Slovakia and Hungary are intact, there is no risk to the security of supply in the countries.<\/p>\n<h2>Hungary must justify the Schengen entry ban<\/h2>\n<p>According to the Schengen Code, which regulates the passport-free travel zone, each member state can ban individuals from entering its territory in case they pose a threat to national security. <\/p>\n<p>To do this, this country needs to fulfil certain conditions that justify the decision. This decision can also be challenged in court. Once the entry ban is in place, the details are uploaded into the Schengen Information System, and other Schengen countries need to apply this ban automatically. <\/p>\n<p>They can also give certain exceptions, if they consider humanitarian reasons or national interests. This means in practice that if Robert Provdi wishes to enter a Schengen Country, the information system will send a notification that he is a subject of an entry ban. But the local authorities can still give him permission to enter. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1756368199,"updatedAt":1756388392,"publishedAt":1756382320,"firstPublishedAt":1756382320,"lastPublishedAt":1756388392,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/43\/96\/87\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_720df63a-5f12-59e7-8084-8b9506d9c915-9439687.jpg","altText":"A Ukrainian serviceman of the Ochi reconnaissance unit launches a Furia drone to fly over Russian positions at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Sunday, June 30, 20","caption":"A Ukrainian serviceman of the Ochi reconnaissance unit launches a Furia drone to fly over Russian positions at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Sunday, June 30, 20","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":288,"slug":"ukraine","urlSafeValue":"ukraine","title":"Ukraine","titleRaw":"Ukraine"},{"id":12134,"slug":"oil-pipeline","urlSafeValue":"oil-pipeline","title":"Oil pipeline","titleRaw":"Oil pipeline"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2826673}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/08\/28\/hungary-sanctions-ukrainian-drone-commander-for-bombing-oil-pipeline-in-russia","lastModified":1756388392},{"id":2825130,"cid":9429361,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NC3 HUNGARY CELEBRATES ITS NATIONAL HOLIDAY","daletPyramidId":2482280,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":6},{"id":8},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Hungary stages Europe\u2019s largest fireworks display for national holiday ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Hungary stages Europe\u2019s largest fireworks display for national holiday","titleListing2":"Hungary stages Europe\u2019s largest fireworks display for national holiday ","leadin":"Hungary celebrated its national holiday on Wednesday with a record-breaking fireworks display over the River Danube in Budapest, billed as the largest in Europe.","summary":"Hungary celebrated its national holiday on Wednesday with a record-breaking fireworks display over the River Danube in Budapest, billed as the largest in Europe.","keySentence":"","url":"hungary-stages-europes-largest-fireworks-display-for-national-holiday","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/08\/21\/hungary-stages-europes-largest-fireworks-display-for-national-holiday","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The 30-minute spectacle lit up the capital with more than 45,000 pyrotechnics launched from 500 sites along a five-kilometre stretch of the river, supported by barges and bridges.\n\nSt Stephen\u2019s Day, held annually on 20 August, marks the foundation of the Hungarian state and honours King Stephen I, who established the Christian kingdom in the year 1000.\n\nThe government spent \u20ac10.6 million on this year\u2019s event, the highest amount to date. But opinion polls suggest two-thirds of Hungarians oppose the cost, with critics arguing the money would be better directed towards tackling economic challenges, including record inflation and a struggling currency.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The 30-minute spectacle lit up the capital with more than 45,000 pyrotechnics launched from 500 sites along a five-kilometre stretch of the river, supported by barges and bridges.<\/p>\n<p>St Stephen\u2019s Day, held annually on 20 August, marks the foundation of the Hungarian state and honours King Stephen I, who established the Christian kingdom in the year 1000.<\/p>\n<p>The government spent \u20ac10.6 million on this year\u2019s event, the highest amount to date. But opinion polls suggest two-thirds of Hungarians oppose the cost, with critics arguing the money would be better directed towards tackling economic challenges, including record inflation and a struggling currency.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1755771507,"updatedAt":1755773726,"publishedAt":1755773627,"firstPublishedAt":1755773627,"lastPublishedAt":1755773627,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/42\/93\/61\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_14f4d42b-df41-5ae6-8651-785cd3095fa3-9429361.jpg","altText":"Fireworks explode above River Danube as part of celebrations of the national holiday, in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.","caption":"Fireworks explode above River Danube as part of celebrations of the national holiday, in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Boglarka Bodnar\/MTI via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":143,"slug":"hungary","urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","titleRaw":"Hungary"},{"id":1764,"slug":"budapest","urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest","titleRaw":"Budapest"},{"id":9805,"slug":"national-day","urlSafeValue":"national-day","title":"National Day","titleRaw":"National Day"},{"id":14334,"slug":"danube","urlSafeValue":"danube","title":"Danube","titleRaw":"Danube"},{"id":18408,"slug":"fireworks","urlSafeValue":"fireworks","title":"fireworks","titleRaw":"fireworks"},{"id":9813,"slug":"video","urlSafeValue":"video","title":"Video","titleRaw":"Video"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2824574}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"vii4WYi0VK8","dailymotionId":"x9p6smo"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/22\/77\/78\/03\/ED_PYR_2277783_20250821102940.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11240383,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/22\/77\/78\/03\/SHD_PYR_2277783_20250821102940.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":15568481,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/22\/77\/78\/03\/FHD_PYR_2277783_20250821102940.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":47981308,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"No Comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/video\/2025\/08\/21\/hungary-stages-europes-largest-fireworks-display-for-national-holiday","lastModified":1755773627},{"id":2821948,"cid":9414325,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"WEB Kneecap Sziget","daletPyramidId":2383801,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Kneecap banned in Hungary but vow to use their platform to call out \u2018genocide and the war criminals\u2019","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Kneecap continue to call out Gaza 'genocide' ahead of Sziget fest ban","titleListing2":"Kneecap banned in Hungary but vow to use their platform to call out \u2018genocide and the war criminals\u2019 ","leadin":"The Irish rap trio Kneecap would have graced the stage at this year's Sziget festival today had the Hungarian government had not banned the band from the country. Regardless, the band continues to tour and have vowed to keep using their platform to call out 'genocide and war criminals'.","summary":"The Irish rap trio Kneecap would have graced the stage at this year's Sziget festival today had the Hungarian government had not banned the band from the country. Regardless, the band continues to tour and have vowed to keep using their platform to call out 'genocide and war criminals'.","keySentence":"","url":"kneecap-banned-in-hungary-but-vow-to-use-their-platform-to-call-out-genocide-and-the-war-c","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2025\/08\/11\/kneecap-banned-in-hungary-but-vow-to-use-their-platform-to-call-out-genocide-and-the-war-c","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"This summer has seen Irish rappers Kneecap dropped from a number of line-ups, including Germany\u2019s Hurricane and Southside festivals, as well as being slapped with a three-year ban from Hungary ahead of their planned performance at\u00a0Sziget \u2013 where the band would have played tonight.\u00a0\n\n\u201cIt is important to say that Hungary is an island of freedom and peace in a troubled world. Here, no one can be abused because of their origin or religion, even verbally. The organizers could have been wise enough not to invite them and not put Hungary in such a situation.\u201d\u00a0\n\nThese were the words of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, referring to Kneecap\u2019s\u00a0ban. Orb\u00e1n also labelled Kneecap as \u201canti-Semitic\u201d, with the Hungarian government stating that the band\u2019s statements cannot be protected by artistic freedom or freedom of expression.\n\nThe band has denied accusations of anti-Semitism, claiming that those attacking the band \u201cweaponize\u201d the false accusation to \u201cdistract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide.\u201d \n\nKneecap has not been deterred and has frequently used their platform at various music festivals to speak out not against the Jewish people but against Israel's war in Gaza.\n\nThey did so at Coachella \u2013 where they denounced the US government\u2019s funding of \u201cwar criminal Israel\u201d; at Best Kept Secret - where the pre-show screening denounces the \u201cIsraeli genocide and the Western media's cover-up\"; at Glastonbury \u2013 where their controversial set alongside Bob Vylan launched a police investigation; and most recently during their set at \u00d8yafestivalen in Oslo. \u00a0\n\nIndeed, the band criticised the Norwegian government ahead of their performance at the festival\u00a0last Friday (8 August), displaying a message on the video screen that accused the Norwegian government of \u201cenabling\u201d the \u201cgenocide\u201d in Gaza through the country\u2019s \u201coil pension fund\u201d.\u00a0\n\nKneecap were\u00a0referring to the Government Pension Fund of Norway, which invests surplus revenues from the country\u2019s petroleum industry and has a reported\u00a0\u20ac1.6trillion in assets.\u00a0\n\nThe fund has faced controversy after a recent report from Norwegian newspaper\u00a0Aftenposten\u00a0found it had invested around \u20ac13million in Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd. \u2013 a jet engines parts manufacturer supplying the Israeli military \u2013 between 2023-2024.\u00a0\n\nIn the wake of the report, the Norwegian government has launched a review of the fund to ensure that it is not investing in Israeli companies contributing to the war in Gaza. Norway has also recognised Palestine as a state.\u00a0\n\n\u201cOver 80,000 people have been murdered by Israel in 21 months,\u201d Kneecap\u2019s message continued. \u201cFree Palestine.\u201d\u00a0\n\nDuring their Oslo performance, Kneecap could be heard on stage saying: \u201cThe fact is, as long as we\u2019re on stage and as long as nothing is changing, Kneecap will always use this platform and this stage to call out the genocide and the war criminals. I don\u2019t need to lecture you people when your oil fund is being used to fund the genocide.\u201d\u00a0\n\nBand member Mo Chara also gave a \u201cquick shout-out\u201d to \u00d8yafestivalen for \u201cstanding by Kneecap\u201d despite calls for them to be removed from the line-up.\n\nNot every festival stands by Kneecap\u2019s freedom of expression, as evidenced by the recent news that the band\u2019s upcoming gig in Vienna on 1 September has been cancelled \u201cdue to acute safety concerns\u201d, following political pressure from Austria\u2019s far-right Freedom Party (FP\u00d6).\u00a0\n\nHowever, and despite the ban, Sziget tried to defend Kneecap's performance for as long as it could. The organisers' position was to condemn hate speech, but to guarantee all performers the right to artistic expression.\u00a0\n\nA statement from Sziget also mentions that they have been in close contact with members of Kneecap, who assured them that their show would not violate Hungarian law or Sziget's principles. Still, the Hungarian government's decision means that fans will be left wanting.\u00a0\n\nFestival director Tam\u00e1s K\u00e1d\u00e1r called the ban on Kneecap an unprecedented, unnecessary and regrettable move that will damage Sziget and Hungary's international image. \u00a0\n\nK\u00e1d\u00e1r told Euronews Culture at a press briefing on Day Zero that many in the pop scene were deeply shocked by what had happened, and that he believed the issue went far beyond Kneecap. \u00a0\n\n\"I think that this is not about the band, but about the world's attitude to culture in general, or politics' attitude to culture,\u201d K\u00e1d\u00e1r said, adding: \u201cOr rather, the fact that recently, politics and war have entered the cultural life of the day. And it seems that not all politicians know what to do with that.\"\u00a0\n\nConversely, audiences do know what to do, as many were heard\u00a0chanting \"dirty Fidesz\" (Orb\u00e1n\u2019s national-conservative party) and several Free Palestine flags were seen during the opening day of Sziget festival.\n\nWhile Hungarian audiences have been deprived of Kneecap, many other festivals are sticking with the band \u2013 including the upcoming Green Man Festival in Wales. The band has more than forty concerts remaining on its calendar for this year \u2013 including dates in Sweden, Norway, Finland, France and Belgium \u2013 and then a US leg which kicks off in October. \u00a0\n\nSince Hamas\u2019 attack on Israeli citizens on October 7, 2023, multiple UN human rights experts\u00a0have stated that Israel\u2019s military actions in Gaza amount to genocide, with the International Court of Justice finding claims of genocide plausible.\n\nIsrael has rejected the genocide accusations and maintain that its operations are lawful acts of self-defence. Claims Kneecap have vocally rebuked. And will continue to do so.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>This summer has seen Irish rappers <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//06//23//keir-starmer-vs-kneecap-will-the-controversial-rap-trio-still-perform-at-glastonbury/">Kneecap dropped from a number of line-ups, including Germany\u2019s Hurricane and Southside festivals, as well as being slapped with a three-year ban from Hungary ahead of their <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//07//24//hungary-bans-national-security-threat-kneecap-from-performing-at-sziget-festival/">planned performance at\u00a0Sziget<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 where the band would have played tonight.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is important to say that Hungary is an island of freedom and peace in a troubled world. Here, no one can be abused because of their origin or religion, even verbally. The organizers could have been wise enough not to invite them and not put Hungary in such a situation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>These were the words of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, referring to Kneecap\u2019s\u00a0ban. Orb\u00e1n also labelled Kneecap as \u201canti-Semitic\u201d, with the Hungarian government stating that the band\u2019s statements <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//watch?v=xp6YpFKHKM0&t=340s\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>cannot be protected by artistic freedom or freedom of expression<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.75\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//41//09//19//808x608_cmsv2_b7b1273d-efe7-5acd-ad97-e2683ecd4495-9410919.jpg/" alt=\"Kneecap won&#39;t be at Sziget - despite what the programme states\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/384x288_cmsv2_b7b1273d-efe7-5acd-ad97-e2683ecd4495-9410919.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/640x480_cmsv2_b7b1273d-efe7-5acd-ad97-e2683ecd4495-9410919.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/750x563_cmsv2_b7b1273d-efe7-5acd-ad97-e2683ecd4495-9410919.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/828x621_cmsv2_b7b1273d-efe7-5acd-ad97-e2683ecd4495-9410919.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/1080x810_cmsv2_b7b1273d-efe7-5acd-ad97-e2683ecd4495-9410919.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/1200x900_cmsv2_b7b1273d-efe7-5acd-ad97-e2683ecd4495-9410919.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/1920x1440_cmsv2_b7b1273d-efe7-5acd-ad97-e2683ecd4495-9410919.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Kneecap won&#39;t be at Sziget - despite what the programme states<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The band has <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//07//18//police-drop-criminal-investigation-into-kneecap-after-controversial-glastonbury-performanc/">denied accusations of anti-Semitism<\/strong><\/a>, claiming that those attacking the band \u201cweaponize\u201d the false accusation to \u201cdistract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Kneecap has not been deterred and has frequently used their platform at various music festivals to speak out not against the Jewish people but against Israel's war in Gaza.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-youtube-embed\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//embed//W95-mclc_-E/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>They did so at <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//04//14//feast-your-eyes-on-the-best-of-coachella-2025-weekend-1-in-pictures/">Coachella \u2013 where they denounced the US government\u2019s funding of \u201cwar criminal Israel\u201d; at Best Kept Secret - where the pre-show screening denounces the \u201cIsraeli genocide and the Western media's cover-up\"; at <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//tag//glastonbury/">Glastonbury \u2013 where their <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//06//30//glastonbury-controversy-explained-police-investigate-kneecap-and-bob-vylan-sets/">controversial set alongside Bob Vylan launched a police investigation<\/strong><\/a>; and most recently during their set at \u00d8yafestivalen in Oslo. \u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9349250,9359902,9378844\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//06//30//glastonbury-controversy-explained-police-investigate-kneecap-and-bob-vylan-sets/">Glastonbury controversy explained: Police investigate Kneecap and Bob Vylan sets<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//07//18//police-drop-criminal-investigation-into-kneecap-after-controversial-glastonbury-performanc/">Police drop criminal investigation into Kneecap after controversial Glastonbury performance<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//07//07//bbc-director-of-music-steps-down-after-bob-vylan-glastonbury-controversy/">BBC director of music steps down after Bob Vylan Glastonbury controversy<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Indeed, the band criticised the Norwegian government ahead of their performance at the festival\u00a0last Friday (8 August), displaying a message on the video screen that accused the Norwegian government of \u201cenabling\u201d the \u201cgenocide\u201d in Gaza through the country\u2019s \u201coil pension fund\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Kneecap were\u00a0referring to the Government Pension Fund of Norway, which invests surplus revenues from the country\u2019s petroleum industry and has a reported\u00a0\u20ac1.6trillion in assets.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The fund has faced controversy after a recent report from Norwegian newspaper\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.aftenposten.no//verden//i//4BPnpo//oljefondet-har-kjoept-seg-opp-i-36-israelske-selskaper-etter-at-krigen-broet-ut/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>Aftenposten<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0found it had invested around \u20ac13million in Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd. \u2013 a jet engines parts manufacturer supplying the Israeli military \u2013 between 2023-2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In the wake of the report, the Norwegian government has launched a review of the fund to ensure that it is not investing in Israeli companies contributing to the war in Gaza. Norway has also recognised Palestine as a state.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOver 80,000 people have been murdered by Israel in 21 months,\u201d Kneecap\u2019s message continued. \u201cFree Palestine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@joskaarderud\/video\/7536304781078416662\" data-video-id=\"7536304781078416662\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;\" > <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@joskaarderud\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//@joskaarderud?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">@joskaarderud<\/a> Hamra l\u00f8s p\u00e5 oljefondet. Helt episk konsert. <a title=\"\u00f8ya\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//øya?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#\u00d8ya<\/a> <a title=\"kneecap\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//kneecap?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#kneecap<\/a> <a title=\"norsktiktok\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//norsktiktok?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#norsktiktok<\/a> <a title=\"\ud83c\udf49\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//🍉?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#\ud83c\udf49<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c original sound - Surjournalist\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//music//original-sound-7536304760174709526?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">\u266c original sound - Surjournalist<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//embed.js/">/n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>During their Oslo performance, Kneecap could be heard on stage saying: \u201cThe fact is, as long as we\u2019re on stage and as long as nothing is changing, Kneecap will always use this platform and this stage to call out the genocide and the war criminals. I don\u2019t need to lecture you people when your oil fund is being used to fund the genocide.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Band member Mo Chara also gave a \u201cquick shout-out\u201d to \u00d8yafestivalen for \u201cstanding by Kneecap\u201d despite calls for them to be removed from the line-up.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@momo63505\/video\/7536267072217697558\" data-video-id=\"7536267072217697558\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;\" > <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@momo63505\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//@momo63505?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">@momo63505<\/a> The Irish band Kneecap takes the stage at \u00d8yafestivalen Oslo Norway 08&#47;08&#47;2025 Free Free \ud83c\udf49\u270c\ud83c\udffc\u2764\ufe0f <a title=\"festival\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//festival?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#Festival<\/a> <a title=\"kneecap\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//kneecap?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#kneecap<\/a><a title=\"fypviral\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//fypviral?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#fypviral<\/a> <a title=\"fyp\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//fyp?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#fyp<\/a> <a title=\"you\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//you?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#you<\/a> <a title=\"viralvideo\ud83d\udd25\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//viralvideo🔥?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#viralvideo\ud83d\udd25<\/a> <a title=\"freepalestine\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//freepalestine?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#freepalestine<\/a> <a title=\"gaza\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//gaza?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#gaza<\/a> <a title=\"solidarity\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//solidarity?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#solidarity<\/a> <a title=\"norge\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//norge?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#norge<\/a> <a title=\"oslo\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//oslo?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#oslo<\/a> <a title=\"nyheter\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//nyheter?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#nyheter<\/a> <a title=\"news\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//news?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#news<\/a> <a title=\"globalmarchtogaza\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//globalmarchtogaza?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#globalmarchtogaza<\/a> <a title=\"fyp\u30b7\u309aviral\ud83d\udda4tiktok\" target=\"_blank\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//tag//fypシ゚viral🖤tiktok?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">#fyp\u30b7\u309aviral\ud83d\udda4tiktok<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c Unstoppable (I put my armor on, show you how strong I am) - Sia\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//music//Unstoppable-I-put-my-armor-on-show-you-how-strong-I-am-6990441958090999809?refer=embed\%22 target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">\u266c Unstoppable (I put my armor on, show you how strong I am) - Sia<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//embed.js/">/n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Not every festival <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//05//01//artists-support-kneecap-as-uk-counterterror-police-confirm-investigation/">stands by Kneecap\u2019s freedom of expression<\/strong><\/a>, as evidenced by the recent news that the band\u2019s upcoming gig in Vienna on 1 September has been cancelled \u201cdue to acute safety concerns\u201d, following political pressure from Austria\u2019s far-right Freedom Party (FP\u00d6).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, and despite the ban, Sziget tried to defend Kneecap's performance for as long as it could. The organisers' position was to condemn hate speech, but to guarantee all performers the right to artistic expression.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9251426,9332902\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//06//18//kneecap-debut-london-billboards-ahead-of-witch-hunt-terror-court-appearance/">Kneecap debut London billboards ahead of 'witch hunt' terror court appearance<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//05//01//artists-support-kneecap-as-uk-counterterror-police-confirm-investigation/">Artists support Kneecap as UK counterterror police confirm investigation<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>A statement from Sziget also mentions that they have been in close contact with members of Kneecap, who assured them that their show would not violate Hungarian law or Sziget's principles. Still, the Hungarian government's decision means that fans will be left wanting.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Festival director Tam\u00e1s K\u00e1d\u00e1r called the ban on Kneecap an unprecedented, unnecessary and regrettable move that will damage Sziget and Hungary's international image. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>K\u00e1d\u00e1r told Euronews Culture at a press briefing on Day Zero that many in the pop scene were deeply shocked by what had happened, and that he believed the issue went far beyond Kneecap. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"I think that this is not about the band, but about the world's attitude to culture in general, or politics' attitude to culture,\u201d K\u00e1d\u00e1r said, adding: \u201cOr rather, the fact that recently, politics and war have entered the cultural life of the day. And it seems that not all politicians know what to do with that.\"\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, audiences do know what to do, as many were heard\u00a0chanting \"dirty Fidesz\" (Orb\u00e1n\u2019s national-conservative party) and several Free Palestine flags were seen during the opening day of Sziget festival.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//41//09//19//808x454_cmsv2_145c0ecc-9dd2-51d6-99da-7fe69a704f57-9410919.jpg/" alt=\"Free Palestine flags seen at Sziget festival in Hungary\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/384x216_cmsv2_145c0ecc-9dd2-51d6-99da-7fe69a704f57-9410919.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/640x360_cmsv2_145c0ecc-9dd2-51d6-99da-7fe69a704f57-9410919.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/750x422_cmsv2_145c0ecc-9dd2-51d6-99da-7fe69a704f57-9410919.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/828x466_cmsv2_145c0ecc-9dd2-51d6-99da-7fe69a704f57-9410919.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/1080x608_cmsv2_145c0ecc-9dd2-51d6-99da-7fe69a704f57-9410919.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/1200x675_cmsv2_145c0ecc-9dd2-51d6-99da-7fe69a704f57-9410919.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/1920x1080_cmsv2_145c0ecc-9dd2-51d6-99da-7fe69a704f57-9410919.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Free Palestine flags seen at Sziget festival in Hungary<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>While Hungarian audiences have been deprived of Kneecap, many other festivals are sticking with the band \u2013 including the upcoming <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//08//09//how-the-uks-green-man-festival-has-managed-to-stay-independent/">Green Man Festival in Wales<\/strong><\/a>. The band has more than forty concerts remaining on its <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.kneecap.ie//gigs/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>calendar<\/strong><\/a> for this year \u2013 including dates in Sweden, Norway, Finland, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//07//11//kneecap-controversy-comes-to-france-as-saint-cloud-withdraws-subsidy-to-rock-en-seine-fest/">France and Belgium \u2013 and then a US leg which kicks off in October. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Since Hamas\u2019 attack on Israeli citizens on October 7, 2023, multiple UN human rights experts\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.ohchr.org//en//press-releases//2024//11//un-special-committee-finds-israels-warfare-methods-gaza-consistent-genocide/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><strong>have stated that Israel\u2019s military actions in Gaza amount to genocide<\/strong><\/a>, with the International Court of Justice finding claims of genocide plausible.<\/p>\n<p>Israel has rejected the genocide accusations and maintain that its operations are lawful acts of self-defence. Claims Kneecap have vocally rebuked. And will continue to do so.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1754885791,"updatedAt":1754900925,"publishedAt":1754900922,"firstPublishedAt":1754900922,"lastPublishedAt":1754900922,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/41\/09\/19\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7c43901d-93d4-5c6c-8e82-0b69397eb5f2-9410919.jpg","altText":"Kneecap banned in Hungary but vow to use their platform to call out \u2018genocide and the war criminals\u2019 ","caption":"Kneecap banned in Hungary but vow to use their platform to call out \u2018genocide and the war criminals\u2019 ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2538,"urlSafeValue":"mouriquand","title":"David Mouriquand","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":11646,"slug":"music","urlSafeValue":"music","title":"Music","titleRaw":"Music"},{"id":19764,"slug":"sziget","urlSafeValue":"sziget","title":"Sziget festival","titleRaw":"Sziget festival"},{"id":13122,"slug":"palestine","urlSafeValue":"palestine","title":"Palestine","titleRaw":"Palestine"},{"id":157,"slug":"israel","urlSafeValue":"israel","title":"Israel","titleRaw":"Israel"},{"id":29226,"slug":"israel-hamas-war","urlSafeValue":"israel-hamas-war","title":"Israel Hamas war","titleRaw":"Israel Hamas war"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"youtube","count":1},{"slug":"html","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2812481}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Magyar \u00c1d\u00e1m","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":143,"urlSafeValue":"hungary","title":"Hungary","url":"\/news\/europe\/hungary"},"town":{"id":1764,"urlSafeValue":"budapest","title":"Budapest"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122011","80222011","84011001","84012001","84081001","84082001","84111001","84112005","84181001","84182009","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","arts_and_entertainment","arts_and_entertainment_general","health_and_fitness","health_and_fitness_general","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","religion_and_spirituality","religion_and_spirituality_judaism","society","society_general","terrorism_high_and_medium_risk","terrorism_high_medium_and_low_risk"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"hu","storyId":9410919,"online":1},"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":1,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2025\/08\/11\/kneecap-banned-in-hungary-but-vow-to-use-their-platform-to-call-out-genocide-and-the-war-c","lastModified":1754900922}]">

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