Despite the White House’s pressure, Hungary will not stop importing Russian oil and gas, according to Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó. Szijjártó stated that without Russian supplies, Hungary’s energy security cannot be guaranteed due to existing infrastructure constraints. This stance aligns with former President Donald Trump’s demands that NATO allies cease buying Russian oil as a condition for further sanctions. Hungary, along with Slovakia, has resisted calls from European leaders to halt energy imports, with its prime minister, Viktor Orbán, being a close ally of Trump.
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The European Union is reportedly preparing trade measures to potentially halt Russian oil imports through the Druzhba pipeline, the primary crude supply route for Hungary and Slovakia. These measures, unlike sanctions, would bypass the need for unanimous approval, thus circumventing potential resistance from these countries. This move aligns with the EU’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy, a goal also encouraged by the US. Hungary and Slovakia are currently the only EU nations still importing Russian pipeline oil, while Czechia recently ended its imports.
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Following the U.S. model, Hungary will designate antifa as a terrorist organization, as announced by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This decision comes in response to the same policy announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Orbán’s decision was likely prompted by a 2023 incident involving antifascist activists, which led to the imprisonment of Italian activist Ilaria Salis. Orbán criticized the activists, particularly Salis, who was later released, highlighting the need for this classification.
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Lithuania is urging the EU to take decisive steps to make Ukraine’s EU membership application a reality, according to a letter sent to EU capitals. The letter proposes starting technical-level negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, potentially excluding Hungary initially if 26 member states agree, while also suggesting a 2030 target year for accession. Lithuania believes that initiating negotiations would boost Ukrainian morale and support reforms amid intensified Russian military actions, while inaction could weaken public support and the will for reform. This proposal, along with the broader context of the war and potential political influences, will be discussed at the upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen.
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Following a recent drone and missile attack on the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia’s Bryansk region, Hungary and Slovakia are requesting the European Commission to pressure Ukraine to halt attacks on the pipeline. This incident marks the third disruption to the pipeline in under two weeks, which supplies oil to both countries. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó condemned the strike as an attempt to involve Hungary in the war and asserted that his country will continue to support peace efforts while defending its national interests. Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Denisa Saková confirmed that the attack has also disrupted oil deliveries to Slovakia.
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Ukraine has targeted the Druzhba oil pipeline, which delivers Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, disrupting supplies to these EU member states. The attack on the Unecha pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk region, confirmed by Ukrainian officials, prompted Hungary and Slovakia to request assistance from the European Commission. This strike marks the third attack on the pipeline in recent times, eliciting condemnation from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who opposes EU sanctions on Russian energy. Hungary and Slovakia are the only EU nations still reliant on Russian oil, and the interruption has further heightened tensions amidst the ongoing conflict.
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Ukrainian attack suspends Russian oil flows to Hungary, Slovakia, and it’s a significant event, wouldn’t you say? It’s a moment where the geopolitical chessboard shifts, and the consequences ripple outwards. We see that Ukraine’s actions have directly impacted the flow of Russian oil, and the two countries most directly affected are Hungary and Slovakia.
It seems like the implications here go beyond a simple disruption of supply chains. There’s a clear sentiment expressed – a mix of relief, vindication, and even a touch of schadenfreude, aimed particularly at the governments of Hungary and Slovakia. Some commentators view this interruption as a form of “kinetic sanctions,” as if Ukraine is stepping in where European nations haven’t, or couldn’t, act decisively enough.… Continue reading
A scandal has emerged in Hungary following the release of photos depicting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s unfinished mansion in Hatvanpuszta, sparking public controversy. Independent MP Ákos Hadházy shared photographs, revealing features such as a palm garden, private zoo, and heated paving, which stand in stark contrast to Orbán’s claims that the estate is merely his father’s farm. Despite government officials’ assertions that it is simply a farm, energy certificates suggest a residential building. This has led to public tours of the property and calls for investigations into Orbán’s assets, with opposition leaders vowing to scrutinize the estate if elected.
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Following the largest Pride event in Hungary’s history, the liberal mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, was questioned by police for his alleged involvement in organizing the event, which the government had sought to ban. Despite the government’s anti-LGBTQ law, the Pride march proceeded with approximately 300,000 participants. Karácsony stated that he declined to answer police questions, asserting that the government’s efforts to suppress Pride had weakened their power. He emphasized that the upcoming national elections would be an opportunity to restore Hungary to its European path, where freedom is guaranteed for all citizens.
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Drawing on the experiences of Hungary and other nations, the article warns of the potential for autocratic backsliding in the United States. Katalin Cseh, a Hungarian opposition parliamentarian, stresses the urgency of preparing for the 2026 midterms and avoiding complacency, mirroring the strategies employed by leaders like Viktor Orbán. She urges Democrats to mobilize, find visionary candidates, and focus on issues that resonate with voters. The article also highlights how tactics used by Orbán to control media are mirrored in the US, and that solidarity and resistance are crucial in combating authoritarianism.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood