- Stay updated on the latest news from Hungary by signing up for the free InsightHungary newsletter
Hungarian news site 444 banned by Russian Foreign Ministry
444. hu is the only Hungarian news site on the Russian Foreign Ministry's ban list. As of 25 June, Russia has restricted access to 81 European news services listed by country on the ministry's website. Some outlets have been listed as pan-European media.
Their statement says that this is in response to a decision taken by the Council of the European Union on 17 May banning "all broadcasting activities" of three Russian media outlets, RIA Novosti, Izvestia Media Information Centre, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, which also came into force on the 25th of June.
According to Lavrov's Foreign Ministry, this is the reasoning behind the Russian Federation taking measures against media outlets that "regularly disseminate false information about the course of the special military operation".
"The Russian side has repeatedly and at various levels warned that politically motivated persecution of domestic journalists and unjustified bans on Russian media in the EU will not go unanswered. Despite this, Brussels and the capitals of the bloc-centric countries have chosen the path of escalation, forcing Moscow to take reflective and proportionate counter-measures with yet another illegitimate ban. The European Union leadership and the countries that support this decision are solely responsible for the development of such events. If the restrictions on Russian media are lifted, the Russian side will also review its decision on these media operators," the statement reads.
Embassies sign joint statement in support of Hungary's LGBTQ community
In a display of solidarity, the embassies of 35 countries and numerous cultural institutions have united to endorse the 29th Budapest Pride, voicing support for Hungary's LGBTQI+ community. Their joint statement expresses deep concern over recent legislative actions and political rhetoric in Hungary that undermine principles of non-discrimination, human rights, and dignity, fostering stigma against the LGBTQI+ community.
US Ambassador David Pressman called for an end to politically motivated attacks on LGBTQI+ individuals. At a Pride event hosted at his residence, Pressman poignantly remarked, “Fear is the tool of those who seek to dismantle democracy, and they often target you and your families.”
Budapest Pride later revealed that 44 embassies and cultural institutions had endorsed the statement, with Poland participating for the first time. Despite these obstacles, thousands took to the streets of Budapest on June 22 for the annual Pride.
Pro-war and pro-migration coalition has been formed with the EPP in Europe to implement Soros' agenda, Orban claims
In his latest radio interview, Hungary's far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered a comment on European politics, accusing liberals, the left, and the conservative European People’s Party (EPP) of forming a "pro-war coalition" that allegedly executes the agenda of Hungarian-born Jewish philanthropist George Soros. Orbán, who has frequently targeted Soros in his rhetoric, repeated the claim that Soros "intends to bring one million migrants to Europe annually", suggesting that Soros is willing to provide loans to support this scheme.
Orbán further invoked the great replacement theory, stating that a demographic shift is underway in Europe. He claimed that the number of white, Christian Europeans is decreasing while the population of migrants, particularly from Muslim communities, is rapidly increasing.
Orban accused EPP President Manfred Weber of being an adversary of Hungary and leading a pro-war, pro-migration coalition within the EU. Orbán stated that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is "just a minister’s little girl" compared to Weber.
EU finds legal loophole to work around Hungary's veto on Ukraine aid package
The European Union has found a legal strategy to bypass Hungary's veto on using profits from Russia's frozen assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine. This move could also facilitate the G7's plans to provide $50 billion to Kyiv, Financial Times reports.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell revealed to the paper that Hungary's earlier abstention from an agreement to allocate proceeds from Russia’s frozen assets means it “should not be part of the decision to use this money.” This legal workaround has already unlocked up to €1.4 billion for military aid for Kyiv.
Bypassing Hungary could also eliminate an obstacle to the G7's efforts to secure a $50 billion loan for Ukraine by December. This loan, intended to be repaid with future proceeds, was agreed upon by leaders at a recent summit in Italy. Hungary, the EU's most pro-Russian member state, has consistently opposed military support for Ukraine.