Central East Europe / News
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.
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.
The only way to stop Russia is by force, Poland’s Foreign Minister Sikorski argues
Moscow will not negotiate in good faith until it faces clear limits on its military and economic options, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski argued in an essay published by the New York Times.
Babiš says he will axe state military aid for Ukraine if ANO forms next Czech cabinet
After his ANO party won Czechia's general election, Babis told journalists he won’t give Ukraine a single crown for weapons.
Smyk plans Warsaw IPO to raise €35.26mn for debt repayment and expansion
Polish children’s goods retailer Smyk announced plans to launch an initial public offering and list its shares on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
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.
Poland and Baltic states deride former German chancellor Merkel for Ukraine war comments
Angela Merkel’s comments on Eastern European resistance to her diplomatic overtures towards Moscow before Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine triggered strong reactions in Poland and the Baltic states.
Rifts on show at EU-Western Balkan summit in Albania
Differences apparent over EU reform as well as friction between Serbia and Kosovo.
Babiš in talks with far-right and anti-green parties after Czech election win
Prague is likely to get the most Eurosceptic government yet seen as ANO leader Andrej Babis confirms talks with far-right SPD and anti-green, Eurosceptic Motorists for Themselves.
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.
Russia destroys Polish fashion retailer LPP's warehouse in Lviv
Warsaw-listed LPP says cooperation with multiple logistics providers means deliveries to Ukrainian stores will continue without interruption.
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.
Populist ANO takes landslide victory in Czechia's parliamentary election
Billionaire ex-prime minister Andrej Babiš' ANO is poised to make a powerful comeback and form what could be the most eurosceptic cabinet Czechia has yet seen.
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.
Ukraine warns Poland over President Nawrocki’s bill targeting nationalist symbols
Ukraine will be “forced to take retaliatory measures” if Poland passes a bill equating Ukrainian nationalist movement with Nazism and communism, Ukrainian historians.
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.