Central Europe / News
Washington leans on Budapest to back down from veto threats
Hungary's government has backed down on vetoing European Union sanctions on Russia following direct pressure from Washington.
Hungarian lawmakers move legislation in fast-track vote to ban Pride March
Hungary's parliament has approved an expedited procedure to pass legislation that would effectively ban Pride marches, with a final vote expected on March 18.
Hungarian PM seems to backtrack from controversial "bedbug" analogy after uproar
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban offered a retrospective "interpretation" of his controversial speech on March 15, in which he referred to political opponents, judges, journalists and civil activists as bedbugs, causing widespread outrage.
Viktor Orban vows to crack down on media, judiciary, NGOs in holiday speech
Viktor Orban delivered a combative speech promising an Easter cleanup of “bedbugs”, referring to journalists, judges, opposition forces and NGOs critical of the government.
EU to soften gas storage rules to avoid price spikes
EU member states are considering softening the bloc’s binding gas storage targets in order to avoid sending gas prices soaring again ahead of what is anticipated to be a difficult year.
Hungary demands removal of Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman from EU sanctions list
The Hungarian government, widely regarded as the most Russia-friendly in the EU, has repeatedly obstructed EU sanctions against Moscow and delayed military aid to Ukraine.
Tusk hails Erdogan meeting as “historic breakthrough” as Poland, Turkey commit to joint defence, arms production work
"Our cooperation as two strong Nato partners has taken on a new significance today," he says.
EU braces for Hungarian veto on Russia sanctions extension
Brussels is preparing for the possibility that Hungary may block the renewal of European Union sanctions against Russia, a move that could unfreeze tens of billions of euros in assets and undermine Ukraine's financial aid structure.
Poland’s Tusk backs Turkey for Ukraine peace process role on Ankara visit
Trip also provides support to president Erdogan as he bids to make Turkish armed forces and defence industry prominent in Europe's plan to rearm and strengthen security architecture.
Druzhba pipeline oil deliveries suspended temporarily due to drone strike, Hungarian FM says
Oil deliveries to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline have had to be suspended temporarily on March 11 due to a Ukrainian drone strike on one of the pipeline’s measuring stations.
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Polish Prime Minister Tusk urges restraint after Sikorski-Musk clash turns ugly on X
Poland’s ministers should choose their words carefully when engaging with foreign figures online, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, following a heated social media spat between Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Elon Musk, Trump's advisor.
Spanish prosecutors investigate Vox over campaign funding from Orban-linked bank
Spain's public prosecutor has launched an investigation into the far-right Vox party over allegations of illegal political financing after reports emerged that the party had received millions of euros in loans from a Hungarian bank tied to PM Orban.
Briefings reveal Nato chief called on EU and Turkey to improve relations amid pressing security concerns
Mark Rutte said to have privately urged bloc leaders to step up engagement with Turkish leader Erdogan. Ankara keen for role in beefed up European defence format.
Estonia’s Social Democrats kicked out of government
Current ruling coalition continues as a two-party government with Reform and Eesti 200 holding a narrow majority of 52 seats in the parliament.
Hungarian special forces reportedly planned covert operation to rescue separatist Bosnian Serb leader
Investigative news site VSquare says a team from Hungary's Counter-Terrorist Centre was deployed to Bosnia with a mission to help Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik escape in the event of a court-ordered arrest.
Viktor Orban warns against Ukraine's EU membership, says economic package with US is in the pipeline
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the admission of Ukraine to the EU would destabilise Europe's economy and its financial stability.
Mass protests against PM Fico’s pro-Russian turn continue across Slovakia
Mass protests in Slovakia against the left-right cabinet of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico continued with rallies under the slogan “Slovakia is Europe” held in more than 40 cities and towns across the country.
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Poland’s Tusk outlines push for nuclear weapons, plans to expand army to 500,000
Poland will strive to enlarge its armed forces to 500,000 servicemen and work to obtain nuclear weapons, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in an address to the Polish parliament.
Turkey backs call for Ukraine War air, sea truce
Poland’s Donald Tusk, meanwhile, speaks of diplomatic offensive to find new security format in Europe that would include involving Turkish forces in a closer role.
Slovakia’s PM Fico backs EU resolution on Ukraine defence despite veto threat
Robert Fico had threatened to block the EU summit unless the conclusions contained a provision about the renewal of Russian gas transit through Ukraine.