EXPLAINER-How will the EU’s 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine work?

April 22, 2026 8:19 PM

EXPLAINER-How will the EU’s 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine work?

A 90 billion euro ($105 billion) EU loan for Ukraine, blocked by Hungary under outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban, could be revived following Orban's defeat in an election this month and a resumption of Russian oil deliveries to Hungary over Ukraine. European Union leaders had decided last December to jointly borrow the money to lend to Ukraine to fund its defence against Russia for this year and next, using frozen Russian funds as a potential backstop to ensure that Moscow ultimately pays. ...

Hungary blocks Russia sanctions, EU cash for Kyiv on eve of Ukraine war anniversary

February 24, 2026 9:18 AM

Hungary blocks Russia sanctions, EU cash for Kyiv on eve of Ukraine war anniversary

Hungary maintained its veto on Monday on new EU sanctions on Russia and a huge loan for Ukraine amid a dispute over oil supplies, in a blow to Europe's pro-Ukrainian consensus on the eve of the war's fourth anniversary. On the ground in Ukraine, Kyiv claimed a rare frontline advance, though Moscow continued its campaign of targeting Ukrainian cities, killing two people in drone strikes in the south. The diplomatic spotlight was on Brussels, where European foreign ministers tried unsuccessfully...

Hungary asks Croatia for help after Russian oil flows via Ukraine halted

February 16, 2026 6:05 PM

Hungary asks Croatia for help after Russian oil flows via Ukraine halted

Hungary and Slovakia have asked Croatia to help to deliver Russian oil, Hungary's foreign minister said on Monday, after disruption to flows via Ukraine and conflicting accusations of blame. A Russian attack on the Druzhba pipeline in Ukraine on January 27 knocked out flows to Eastern Europe, Kyiv's foreign ministry said on Thursday. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted a photo on X of firefighters and what he said was Druzhba pipeline infrastructure burning, adding that Hungary had not publi...

Hungary to ensure Putin can enter country for Trump meeting in Budapest

October 17, 2025 6:47 PM

Hungary to ensure Putin can enter country for Trump meeting in Budapest

Hungary will ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin can enter the country for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump planned in Budapest and return home afterwards, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Friday. Trump agreed on Thursday to a second summit on the war in Ukraine to be hosted in the Hungarian capital, saying it may happen in the next two weeks. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban spoke with Trump on Thursday and talked to Putin on Friday, saying preparations...

FIFA WC qualifier: Portugal edge Hungary 3-2 with late Cancelo goal

September 10, 2025 1:59 PM

FIFA WC qualifier: Portugal edge Hungary 3-2 with late Cancelo goal

Portugal earned a 3-2 victory at Hungary in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, with Joao Cancelo scoring a late winner, two minutes after the hosts had equalised, to put them in control at the top of Group F with two away wins from two. The visitors had come from behind to lead thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty but almost let the three points slip when conceding late on before Cancelo's goal rescued the win to add to their 5-0 success in Armenia on Saturday. Hungary took the lead in the...

Hungary’s opposition flags ‘New Deal’ to kickstart stagnating economy

July 13, 2025 2:18 PM

Hungary’s opposition flags ‘New Deal’ to kickstart stagnating economy

Hungary's opposition leader Peter Magyar said on Saturday his Tisza party will launch a "Hungarian New Deal" to revive the stagnating economy with massive investment and predictable policy if it wins elections next year. Magyar, whose centre-right party has a firm lead over the ruling Fidesz in most opinion polls, poses the biggest political challenge to nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who after 15 years in power finds himself struggling to boost the inflation-hit economy. The risk of...

Hungary grants asylum to Polish opposition politician, deepening rift between former allies

December 20, 2024 3:22 PM

Hungary grants asylum to Polish opposition politician, deepening rift between former allies

Hungary has granted political asylum to former Polish deputy justice minister Marcin Romanowski, who is under investigation in Poland over accusations of misuse of public funds, drawing an angry reaction from Warsaw. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff Gergely Gulyas, announcing the move late on Thursday, accused the Polish government of hounding its political opponents. Poland called it a "hostile act" contrary to the principle of loyal cooperation within the European Union...

Spanish olive trees find new home on Hungary’s slopes as climate warms

October 9, 2024 3:07 PM

Spanish olive trees find new home on Hungary’s slopes as climate warms

Wine maker Csaba Torok, who grows olives on Hungary's warm southern slopes near Lake Balaton, believes his trees from southern Europe have found a successful new home as Europe's climate gets warmer. Torok, 55, got his first three small olive trees from Spain around 2008. Two froze to death the first winter but one survived, prompting Torok to buy around 200 more over the years to plant in his vineyard on Hegymagas, a volcanic butte formation with sunny slopes, ample rain and rich soil. "I see...