Hungary
Minsk asks for talks with Kyiv, as Lukashenko seeks to end Belarus’ isolation
Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko has opened the door to direct dialogue with Kyiv as part of negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, as he launches a diplomatic drive to break the republic’s isolation and dependence on Russia.
Putin's meeting with Trump in Budapest is a slap in the face for the EU
As preparations get underway for a highly anticipated summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump in Budapest, attention is turning to an unusual but politically sensitive detail: how will Putin get there?
Zelenskiy leaves Washington empty handed, Trump and Putin head to Budapest to talk business
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy went into a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump on October 17 hoping for a big arms deal. He came out of the meeting empty handed.
COMMENT: Hungary’s investment slump shows signs of bottoming, but EU tensions still cast a long shadow
Hungary’s economy has fallen behind its Central European peers in recent years, and the root of this underperformance lies in a sharp and protracted collapse in investment. But a possible change of government next year could change things.
EXPLAINER: What is the EU’s CBAM and how will it affect global trade from 2026?
The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will enter its full operational phase on January 1, 2026, marking a major shift in global climate and trade policy.
IMF: Global economic outlook shows modest change amid policy shifts and complex forces
Dialing down uncertainty, reducing vulnerabilities, and investing in innovation can help deliver durable economic gains.
Global renewables to double by 2030, but IEA warns momentum must accelerate
Global renewable energy capacity is on course to double by 2030, reaching 4,600 GW—comparable to the current combined total of China, the European Union and Japan—according to the International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2025 report.
Von der Leyen to confront Hungary’s EU Commissioner over reported espionage attempts in EU institutions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen intends to personally discuss espionage allegations with Hungarian Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi, Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho said at a press briefing in Brussels on October 10.
Hungary's forint falls 1% after economy minister criticises interest rates
Hungary's forint falls 1% after Economy Minister Marton Nagy criticises high real interest rates, reigniting debate over possible rate cuts as central bank maintains 6.5% rate unchanged since September 2024 to control inflation.
Austria and Slovenia advocate qualified majority voting to unblock EU enlargement
Dropping unanimity requirement could accelerate the accession process for Ukraine, Moldova and potentially Western Balkans, but faces opposition from within the EU.
Donald Trump nominates Orthodox Jewish businessman as ambassador to Hungary
Landa is the son of parents who emigrated from Czechoslovakia after WWII, where his father had served as a rabbi. In a 2010 speech, he described his family as having Hungarian Hasidic roots.
Leaders of Hungary and Slovakia hail Babiš’ election victory in Czechia
Hungary’s Victor Orban and Slovakia’s Robert Fico have repeatedly clashed with fellow EU members on support for Ukraine and more broadly on the bloc’s values, and hope for an ally in ANO leader Andrej Babiš.
Hungarian PM isolated at EU summit over Ukraine stance
Victor Orban's sharply critical stance on a proposal to finance aid to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets contrasted with the positions of fellow EU leaders.
Hungary has world's second-largest LEGO plant after €140mn expansion
Danish toy maker LEGO's expansion of its Hungarian base boosts production by 30%.
Orban says ‘Hungary can't be circumvented' on Ukraine EU accession
Ukraine's accession procedure to the European Union cannot be opened through "legal tricks" circumventing Hungary, PM Viktor Orban tells journalists at EU summit in Copenhagen.
.jpg)
EU presses ahead with December signing of divisive Mercosur deal
The European Commission is gearing up to sign its contentious trade agreement with South American bloc Mercosur on December 5 in Brazil, possibly sealing the fate of an accord that has languished in negotiations for more than a quarter-century.
VISEGRAD BLOG: Will Czechia drift into Slovak and Hungarian direction after this week’s elections?
Czech populist stalwart Andrej Babiš and his ANO party are projected to make a comeback after this week's elections, raising questions about the country's future direction.
EBRD warns CEE competitiveness at risk as China’s export power grows
China's exports have become more similar to those from Central Europe and Turkey, as its share in global manufacturing exports surges.
Orban dismisses Ukraine drone incursion as “it is not a sovereign state”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dismissed allegations that Hungarian drones violated Ukrainian airspace last week as irrelevant even if they had, as “Ukraine is not an independent, sovereign country”, he said in an interview.