Ukraine

Hungarian news outlets take a joint stand for press freedom

“The aim is clearly to intimidate and silence.”

Hungary’s defence minister signals shift from peace policy, leaked audio reveals

“We are ending our previous efforts towards peace,” Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky says on the leaked 2023 recording.

Vsquare: Orban's secret service to blacklist NGOs and media outlets

The move signals a dangerous escalation in the government’s further crackdown on independent civil society and press freedom.

Orbán blocks joint EU effort on support for Ukraine

The other 26 EU states issued a separate statement on support for Ukraine.

Zelensky: I know the Hungarian people are on the side of the Ukrainie and of the truth

In his New Year's greetings, the Ukrainian president highlighted that the unity of Europe must be respected " by Budapest and Bratislava.

Fico and Orban are undermining EU unity, Czech minister says

"If any European politician opens towards Russia, they will violate the united approach, which is not in our favor."

Orban: The Christmas ceasefire is a simple but humane proposal

The Ukrainian foreign ministry commented asked the Hungarian side to stop its "immoral manipulations and using peace and Christmas as an excuse".

Hungarian Parliament votes to extend state of emergency

The state of emergency has been in place since May 2022, giving Viktor Orbán even more power.

Orban congratulates Trump on election victory

"The biggest comeback in U.S. political history! Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his enormous win. A much-needed victory for the World!, " the Hungarian leader posted on X.

Hungarian government-linked organization spends millions to sway US public opinion

Danube Institute, an Orban adjacent think tank in Budapest has paid more than $1.64 million to its foreign partners over the past three years.

Szijjarto goes to Russia for the eleventh time since Ukraine war

"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.

Balazs Orban faces backlash over comments on Ukraine war

Viktor Orbán’s political director suggested that Hungary might have responded differently to a Russian invasion than Ukraine has.

Hungarian citizen arrested on charges of conspiring to export US military grade radios to Russia

The arrested man's mother previously worked as the head of the office for a Hungarian Foreign Ministry-affiliated company. She was also the official supplier of Motorola communications equipment to the Russian Interior Ministry.

Russian 'spy bank' pushes for sanctions to be lifted

The Russia-led International Investment Bank claims this would help it meet its commitments to investors and creditors.

Trump quotes Orban in his latest speech

According to the former US president, Orban said, “Russia was afraid of him. China was afraid of him. The whole world was at peace.”

Charles Michel debunks Orbán's claims

Charles Michael responded to Orban's letter, saying: "Without Ukraine, we cannot talk about Ukraine."

Orban to visit Putin in Moscow

Earlier this week, Orbán visited Kyiv, where he urged Zelensky to consider a ceasefire to seek an end to the war with Russia.

444 banned in Russia

444. hu is the only Hungarian news site on the Russian Foreign Ministry's ban list.

Internal documents prove Russian hackers infiltrated the Foreign Ministry

An internal report, obtained by 444 shows the extent of Russian hacking operations targeting Hungary's Foreign Ministry.

Hungarian politicians might have accepted Moscow funds to promote pro-Kremlin messaging

Russian funds were directed towards financing campaigns ahead of the European Parliamentary elections.

Orbán to visit Trump in Florida

There are concerns that Orbán might use his connection with the twice-impeached, former US President to push narratives aligning with Russian interests.

Orbán's son goes on secret mission in Africa

Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky recently acknowledged Orbán's involvement in the Chad mission.

EP to take European Commission to court over Hungary funds

Daniel Freund says there is a well-founded suspicion that Ursula von der Leyen has "bought Hungary's agreement to start accession negotiations with Ukraine."

Hungary denies extradition request for Russian linked to high-profile murder

Hungary has declined Ukraine's request to extradite a Russian man accused of involvement in the 2017 killing of a member of the volunteer Dzhokhar Dudayev battalion.

Danube water level at its highest since 2013

The unusual water levels resulted from heavy rain and snow, followed by mild weather, leading to premature winter floods.

Orbán calls Ukraine war a 'military operation' during annual press conference

“There was no declaration of war between the two countries. When Russia declares war, there will be war,” the Hungarian leader explained to journalists.

EU unblocks €10bn in funds for Hungary

The EU had previously frozen billions of euros in funds for Hungary, citing concerns related to human rights and the rule of law.

Yermak suggests meeting between Zelensky and Orbán

Szijjártó and the head of Zelesky's office agreed on the importance of improving relations between Hungary and Ukraine.

Viktor Orban slips down on Politico's power player list

Viktor Orbán, has slipped down a notch in the rankings of European influencers-- despite his persistent anti-Brussels campaigns this year.

Orban government attempts to ban under-18s from World Press Photo Exhibition over 'LGBTQ images'

Dóra Dúró, deputy president of the far-right Our Homeland party, had previously urged the government to investigate whether the exhibition violated Hungary's controversial child protection law.

Leaders of Estonia, Luxembourg criticise Orban over meeting with Putin

Orban defended the meeting, stating it was necessary to maintain communication for the sake of peace, adding he was proud of his strategy.

Ambassadors of NATO member countries meet to discuss Orban-Putin meeting

Ambassadors of NATO member states and Sweden's ambassador to Budapest due to growing concern among NATO members about Hungary's deepening relations with Russia

Orban welcomes Fico's victory amid growing concenrs for Ukraine aid

There are growing concerns that after Fico's victory Slovakia could join Hungary in blocking EU aid to Ukraine.

Trump thanks Viktor Orban for endorsing him for president

Viktor Orbán urged Americans. to “call back Trump,” in an interview with former Fox News host, Tucker Carlson.

Tucker Carlson calls US Ambassador a 'creep' at Budapest event

According to the conservative US broadcaster, David Pressman is not a diplomat but a political activist appointed by US President Joe Biden.

Open Society Foundations to limit EU funding in restructuring

OSF's spokesperson says the charity group still would "continue to fund civil-society groups across Europe," including those that work on EU external affairs or support Romany communities.

Hungary used its veto to protect Belarusian oligarch from EU sanctions

Hungary decided to use its veto in May after 10 EU countries requested Moshensky be included in the sanction list.

US tightens visa waiver after Hungarian passport fraud

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said the US was trying to work with the Hungarian government to give them an opportunity to correct the situation but they refused.

Orban says Ukraine can’t win the war

The Hungarian PM expressed sympathy for Ukraine but argued that sending them further aid will only lead to more deaths.

Hungary blocks €500 million military aid to Ukraine

Hungary will block European Union military aid for Ukraine unless Hungarian OTP Bank is removed from list of war sponsors.

Hungary's new law enables to report rainbow families to authorities

According to the new law, citizens are allowed to report those who contest the “constitutionally recognized role of marriage and the family” and those who contest children’s rights “to an identity appropriate to their sex at birth.”

Orban's chief of staff: Putin would not be arrested in Hungary

Bloomberg reported that Hungary blocked European Union member states from issuing a joint statement about an ICC arrest warrant against Putin.

Hungarian President meets Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Novak, a close ally to Orban also spoke with the Governor's wife, Casey DeSantis.

Viktor Orban: "Europe is drifting into the war in these very minutes"

Orban who is currently serving his fourth consecutive term, stated that Europe is "already indirectly at war with Russia."

Pro-Fidesz commentator: "I am rooting for the Russians"

Andras Bencsik made a clear statement on pro-government Hir TV on where he stands on the war in Ukraine, and said he has never met a person in Hungary who wasn't "rooting for the Russians".

Hungary is the most corrupt country in the EU, study finds

Hungary dropped four places over the past year to 77th, according to the organization's Corruption Perceptions Index replacing Bulgaria.

Szijjarto dismisses reports about Hungary blocking €500 million EU military aid to Ukraine

Szijjarto stated that while the Hungarian government isn’t in favor of the EU sending funding for weapons to Ukraine, it won’t block a planned 500 million euros in military aid.

Orban is the only EU leader who received holiday greetings from Putin

Only three EU politicians received holiday greetings from the Russian president: Orbán, Berlusconi and Schröder.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says Orbán is indirectly calling for Ukraine's defeat in the war

The statement reacts to Orban's comments that Ukraine can “only fight as long as the United States supports it with money and arms."

Russian spy allegedly tried to smuggle a flash drive containing classified data to Budapest

The incident illustrates how Hungary has become a hub for Russian intelligence.