- Stay updated on the latest news from Hungary by signing up for the free InsightHungary newsletter
Pressman criticizes Hungarian FM for frequent travels to Russia since Putin's invasion
"The Foreign Minister of Hungary today travelled to Russia for the 11th time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – in pursuit of profit not peace," US Ambassador David Pressman wrote on X. Peter Szijjarto attended the International Gas Forum in Saint Petersburg.
On his social media, Szijjártó commented on his trip writing: "like it or not, the reality is that the secure and affordable supply of natural gas to our country is not possible without cooperation with Russia".
What made Szijjártó's visit particularly interesting was that a day earlier in the European Parliament, several MEPs told Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that while the European Union is striving for complete independence from Russian gas, Hungary is the only member state doing the exact opposite.
Tisza Party leader Péter Magyar organizes protest to propaganda in state media
Thousands gathered on Saturday afternoon outside Hungary’s public media (MTVA) headquarters. The protest was organised by Tisza Party leader, Péter Magyar. Demonstrators described state media as Orbán’s “propaganda machine” and called for an independent public broadcasting service.
Magyar, formerly a member of Fidesz, now serving as an opposition MEP, toldthe crowd: “We have had enough of the malice, the lies, the propaganda. Our patience has run out. What we have today as public media in Hungary is a global scandal.” The opposition leader went on saying: "Repeat a lie enough times and people will believe it to be the truth. This is Adolf Hitler's advice to Fidesz, to the propaganda of the ruling party. And the disciples took their master's advice. What is going on today in Hungary in 2024 under the name of public service is a global scandal."
Magyar called for the resignation of the public media director and accused the broadcaster of denying opposition politicians the opportunity to appear on public television.
Orbán vows to defend 'family values' at Italian rally
Viktor Orbán spoke at a rally on Sunday hosted by Matteo Salvini’s far-right Lega party in Pontida, Italy. Orbán vowed to protect Hungary’s sovereignty and resist the influence of foreign powers, including "Brussels bureaucrats, financial elites, and migrants,"444 reports.
"Italians and Hungarians are two freedom-fighting peoples, and we are their heirs," Orbán said. "We will never surrender, we will never give up our freedom, and we will never turn our countries over to foreigners."
The Hungarian leader praised Salvini as a "European patriot" who, according to Orban instead of facing criminal charges "for his hardline stance on migration", should be awarded a medal for his efforts to protect Italy’s borders.
Orbán also underscored Hungary’s commitment to traditional family values, highlighting constitutional protections that define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
"We won’t let them make a mockery of marriage," he said. "There is no future without families." Orbán emphasised that, despite "pressure from international forces", Hungary’s laws would continue to uphold these values, insisting: "The father is a man, the mother is a woman—this will not change."
Von der Leyen says Hungarian Visa scheme is a security ris
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a fiery speech to Viktor Orbán on Wednesday, criticising his close ties with Vladimir Putin and accusing him of opening Hungary to foreign interference from Russia and China. Her remarks followed Orbán’s address to the European Parliament.
“There are still some who blame this war not on the invader, but on the invaded. Not on Putin’s lust for power, but on Ukraine’s thirst for freedom,” von der Leyen said. She then drew historical parallels, with the Soviet invasion of 1956?
The tension between von der Leyen and Orbán has intensified as Hungary begins its six-month presidency of the EU Council. Orbán has styled himself as a “peace envoy,” travelling to Kyiv, Moscow, Beijing, and Mar-a-Lago, sometimes without mandate, to represent the EU’s interests.
Von der Leyen didn’t hold back, addressed a range of concerns with the Hungarian prime minister’s policies, hitting back at Orbán’s claims that Hungary was safeguarding the EU’s borders. “You said Hungary is locking up criminals. How does that square with the fact that authorities released convicted traffickers and smugglers before their sentences were served?” she queried.
The Commission president also criticised Hungary’s controversial decision to allow Chinese police to patrol in the country, and the visa scheme, which she described as a "security risk" for Europe. “This is not defending Europe’s sovereignty—this is a backdoor for foreign interference,” she said.