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Szijjarto accuses 'pro-war, anti-Trump' European leaders of undermining Ukraine peace efforts at Paris summit
Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó accused European leaders of working to block a peace deal on Ukraine, claiming that “pro-war, anti-Trump” politicians will convene in Paris to prevent a resolution to the conflict, 444 reports. Speaking in Kazakhstan, Szijjártó said Donald Trump’s return to power had created a “new global political reality” that aligns with Hungary’s interests. He positioned Hungary and Kazakhstan as allies, describing both as nations committed to sovereignty, patriotism, and a “pro-peace stance.” According to Szijjártó, Trump’s approach to foreign policy "offers the best hope for ending the war," which he argued has caused significant difficulties for both Hungary.
Szijjártó welcomed reports that Trump and Vladimir Putin had engaged in extensive talks and that their respective foreign ministers, Marco Rubio and Sergey Lavrov, had begun discussing future Russian-US cooperation. His remarks come as European leaders prepare for a possible emergency summit in response to Trump’s foreign policy stance.
Hungary is the EU’s most corrupt country according to Transparency International
Hungary has been named the most corrupt country in the European Union, for a third consecutive year -- according to Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index. The 2024 report gave Hungary a score of just 41 out of 100, reflecting a sharp decline of 14 points since 2012. Ranked 82nd globally, Hungary now finds itself alongside countries such as Cuba, South Africa, and Burkina Faso. “Even the withholding of €20 billion in EU funds has failed to compel the Orbán regime to restore the rule of law and democracy,” the anti-corruption watchdog said.
The Orbán government quickly dismissed the research. Zoltán Kovács called the report a “joke” and claimed it was “bankrolled” by USAID and billionaire philanthropist George Soros. Pro-government daily Magyar Nemzet accused Transparency International of representing “globalist interests,” while Hungary’s recently established Sovereignty Protection Office branded the survey a “classic disinformation tool.”
Orbán claims protests in Slovakia and Serbia are ‘instigated’
Viktor Orbán has claimed that recent anti-government protests in Slovakia and Serbia are orchestrated, suggesting that Hungary has faced similar challenges, 444 reports. Speaking at a press conference alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Budapest, Orbán said, “We are not blind. What is happening in Slovakia and Serbia is not happening of its own accord, it is being instigated.” His remarks come as both countries face mass demonstrations against their governments. The Hungarian prime minister did not specify who he believes is behind these alleged efforts.
Earlier in the day, Vučić was awarded the Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit, the highest state honor Hungary can bestow on a foreign leader. The two leaders strengthened their strategic alliance, with Orbán describing Serbia as a source of stability in the Balkans. Energy security was also high on the agenda, with plans for a 300-kilometer oil pipeline linking the two countries moving forward. Orbán suggested that geopolitical tides are shifting in his favor, claiming that where Hungary now enjoys a political “tailwind.”
Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office targets USAID
Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office has launched an investigation into the activities of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), alleging that the organization is part of a "broader effort to exert political influence." The document, titled The Role of USAID in Exerting Global Political Pressure, claims that USAID operates as a “pressure network” aligned with US national security strategy and is actively involved in Hungary. It further asserts that the agency has become a tool of the Democratic Party, accusing it of capturing the federal state and funneling $20.2 million to Hungarian organizations between 2020 and 2024. The SPO also alleges that the funding model has been replicated in Brussels by Jewish billionaire George Soros and organizations linked to him.
Hungary's far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orbán doubled down on the report’s claims, describing the alleged activities of USAID as a “huge scandal.” Michael Vachon, a spokesperson for Soros, rejected the accusations.