Central Europe / News
European Commission in no rush to step in and settle Lukoil transit ban dispute
Ukraine’s recent sanctions have barred Lukoil from using the country for transit, affecting both Hungary and Slovakia.
Bank of Taiwan to challenge Scandinavian banks' dominance in Lithuania’s banking market
Bank of Taiwan highlighted the importance of Lithuania's strategic location as it aims to enter the local market.
EC formulates serious shortcomings for Hungary in the rule of law report
The EC formulates serious shortcomings for Hungary in the rule of law report. Hungary has made some progress on the European Commission’s recommendations made in last year's rule of law report, but there are still serious shortcomings.
Slovakia threatens Ukraine with retaliation over halted Russian oil imports
Ukraine’s tightened sanctions against Russian oil giant Lukoil have led to a decreased flow of Russian oil into Hungary and Slovakia.
Poland moving forward on rule of law but progress patchy on some key issues, European Commission says
Latest rule of law report acknowledges attempts by Poland's new government to roll back changes enforced by the former ruling PiS.
Hungary to block disbursement of European Peace Facility to Ukraine until Lukoil delivery issues resolved
Hungary has been blocking the disbursement of the next European Peace Facility tranche for more than a year.
MOL’s chief fumes over "temporary" windfall tax and criticises Viktor Orban's economic policy
MOL’s chief Zsolt Hernadi, an ally of Viktor Orban, strongly criticised the government’s windfall taxes, which were supposed to be phased out in 2023 but will be maintained for energy companies, retailers and banks in 2025.
Hungary faces energy crisis, after Ukraine cuts off Russian oil deliveries
Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has warned that a durable solution is urgently needed following Ukraine's decision to cut off oil deliveries from Russia’s Lukoil, causing a significant disruption to Hungary's oil supply.
Hungarian PM defends “peace mission” slammed by EU and Nato officials
Political leaders in Brussels said Viktor Orban had no authority to represent the EU in talks that included a trip to Moscow.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vows to build a Defensive Europe following her re-election
The European Parliament has re-elected Ursula von der Leyen to a second term as President of the European Commission on July 18, who vowed to build a “Defensive Union” to counter Russia’s aggression.
MEPs slam Hungarian PM Orban's Moscow trip, call for repercussions
MEPs overwhelmingly backed resolution condemning visit as a “blatant violation of EU treaties and common foreign policy”.
Iconic Czech daily Lidove noviny to end print version
Oldest Czech daily still in print to shift fully online less than a year after sale of its publisher to Kaprain group.
Estonian president assigns Kristen Michal to form new government
President Alar Karis says the most viable coalition would be among Michal's Reform Party, the Social Democrats and Estonia 200.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas resigns
Kallas has been the country’s prime minister since 2021, but her popularity has tumbled recently.
Tusk’s coalition fails to deliver on abortion
Loosening Poland’s draconian abortion laws was one of the key pledges by PM Donald Tusk in the run-up to the 2023 general election.
Slovak PM’s Smer party isolated in European Parliament after split from S&D group
Robert Fico axed state military aid for Ukraine and openly cosied up to Hungarian radical right-wing strongman Viktor Orban.
Runway melts at Hungary’s number two airport hub due to scorching heat
Repairs will take "at least a week", depending on weather conditions Temperatures around Debrecen reached the upper 30s Celsius on Thursday, when the announcement was made, but the situation worsened over the weekend.
Hungary’s Orban asks Turkey's Erdogan for support in Russia-Ukraine peace efforts
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban has asked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to support his efforts to launch peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine War, Orban’s press secretary Bertalan Hawashi said.
Poland signs wide-ranging security deal with Ukraine
Poland will continue military assistance to Ukraine for “as long as it takes”.
Hungary to face international blowback after Orban's controversial "peace missions"
Concerns have been raised about Orban's ambiguous statements and the use of the EU presidency logo during his trips to Kyiv, Moscow and Beijing, suggesting he represented the EU rather than just Hungary.