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Hungary

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hungary. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Budapest

Head of State

President Tamás Sulyok

Head of Government

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they leave after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea, on October 30. Photo: Reuters

United States

Opinion | For Trump, the only communists to really dislike are those at home

The limited discussion of China in the new US national security document indicates that the US president’s focus is on domestic challenges to his authority.

17 Dec 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

European Union

As I see it | Russia will end the European Union, not the other way around

17 Dec 2025 - 8:16AMvideocam

My Take

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

14 Dec 2025 - 10:15PM

Ukraine war

EU indefinitely freezes Russian assets so they can be used to help Ukraine

Hungarian PM Orban, a Putin ally, accused the European Commission, which prepared the decision, ‘of systematically raping European law’.

13 Dec 2025 - 3:33AM

Ukrainians hold placards during a protest demanding the use of the frozen Russian assets in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday. Photo: EPA

European Union

Opinion | How to preserve Europe’s liberty in the Trump 2.0 era

If Europe truly values liberty, it must build the means to defend it and start finally seeing the world as it is, not as it remembers it.

9 Dec 2025 - 9:12PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

8 Dec 2025 - 6:01PM

Ukraine war

Hungary’s Orban to send team to Russia, expecting end of Ukraine war

The PM is anticipating a post-war landscape in which sanctions are lifted and Russia becomes reintegrated with the Western economy.

7 Dec 2025 - 5:40AMvideocam

Hungarian Prime Minister addresses supporters in Kecskemet on Saturday. Photo: AFP

China trade

Explainer | As China’s companies become industry leaders, where in the world are they going?

Across numerous sectors, China’s firms are setting up shop worldwide – and gaining ground on their well-entrenched competitors.

11 Dec 2025 - 11:21AMvideocam

Banking & finance

Opinion | How yuan internationalisation is helping to close the climate finance gap

Through fast-growing markets for yuan-denominated bonds, China is showing it can support sustainability projects across the Global South.

3 Dec 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

Africa

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

Estonia and Finland are among those seeking to boost their presence on the continent, revamping diplomatic and trade ties over the past five years.

23 Nov 2025 - 5:46PM

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks with EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen at the G20 Leaders’ Summit plenary session in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. Photo: AFP

CATL

Co-founder of EV battery giant CATL pockets US$239 million from 1% stake sale

Huang Shilin retains more than 9 per cent of CATL, whose shares have skyrocketed in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

21 Nov 2025 - 4:58PM

CATL batteries power more than a third of electric cars around the world, according to an analyst. Photo: Getty

China-EU relations

‘Compliance maze’: EU scrutiny of Huawei, ZTE, Shein ups stakes for China firms

Firms operaing in EU may face regulatory costs, political risk, supply-chain exposure, analysts say, as contingency plans may be in works.

13 Nov 2025 - 11:50PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Chinese firms in EU report solid performance despite mounting uncertainties

But the survey of companies warns ‘politicisation of commercial issues’ a threat, as Brussels seeks to de-risk supply chains.

12 Nov 2025 - 6:15PMvideocam

Books and literature

British-Hungarian writer David Szalay wins Booker Prize for ‘Flesh’

Szalay’s exploration of troubled masculinity beat favourites Kiran Desai and Andrew Miller to claim the prestigious US$65,500 literary award.

11 Nov 2025 - 12:12PM

Author David Szalay after being named as the winner of the 2025 Booker Prize. Photo: PA via AP

Donald Trump

Trump grants Hungary’s Orban, a Putin ally, exemption from oil sanctions

The US president hit Russia’s two biggest oil companies with sanctions last month over Moscow’s refusal to end its war in Ukraine.

8 Nov 2025 - 1:46PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (left) greets Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban outside the West Wing of the White House on Friday. Photo: AFP

Food and Drinks

How to use paprika to give fried chicken, stews and potato dishes a kick

Paprika, used in goulash and other Eastern European stews, also goes great in potato croquettes and can add colour to your holiday turkey.

7 Nov 2025 - 3:15PM

Ukraine war

Opinion | Only a multipolar coalition can secure Ukraine peace

To move forward, negotiations must be conducted on the basis of security guarantees that reflect today’s geopolitical realities.

29 Oct 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

Africa

Kenyan plane crash kills pilot, 10 tourists from Hungary, Germany

The plane was heading to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, known for the annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti.

29 Oct 2025 - 1:00AM

Smoke rises from the wreckage of a plane crash in Kwale County, Kenya, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

Ukraine war

EU takes tentative step toward using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

Leaders left the door open for a US$162 billion financing plan as Zelensky pushes, arguing: ‘Russia brought war to our land and they have to pay’.

24 Oct 2025 - 10:09AMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU sanctions state-linked Chinese oil companies over Russia war support

Beijing slams latest punishment ensnaring 15 entities, reiterating it ‘has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict’.

23 Oct 2025 - 9:30PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Trump says Ukraine talks with Putin off for now, doesn’t want ‘wasted meeting’

Decision follows a call between top US and Russian diplomats that reaffirmed Moscow’s opposition to an immediate Ukraine ceasefire.

22 Oct 2025 - 9:58AMvideocam

Matryoshka dolls depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump at a gift shop in Moscow. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Europe, Ukraine prepare plan to end war, proposing peace board headed by Trump

The US president had originally planned to meet Russia’s Putin for talks in Hungary, but plans for the Budapest summit are now on hold.

22 Oct 2025 - 6:38AM

A Ukrainian artilleryman fires a howitzer towards Russian troops near the town of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

Rubio and Lavrov discuss next Putin-Trump summit, Zelensky seeks invite

US and Russia make plans for Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to meet in Budapest following talks in Alaska in August.

21 Oct 2025 - 4:01PM

Ukraine war

EU to end Russian gas imports by 2027 in major energy shift

Hungary and Slovakia, the EU members still importing Russian gas via pipeline, were the only nations to oppose the new, majority-backed ban.

20 Oct 2025 - 7:14PM

Ukraine war

Will Zelensky join Trump and Putin in Budapest for peace talks? Only if invited

The Ukraine president criticised pro-Kremlin EU member Hungary as a venue for Putin-Trump talks, insisting on neutral locations for discussions.

20 Oct 2025 - 4:31PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is seen at the Cabinet Room of the White House on October 17. Photo: AFP

Nobel Prize

Hungary’s Laszlo Krasznahorkai wins 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature

The 71-year-old was honoured for his visionary works, blending Central European absurdism with Eastern contemplation.

9 Oct 2025 - 7:43PM

Hungary’s Laszlo Krasznahorkai, the winner of the Man Booker International Prize, has been honoured as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in literature. Photo: AP

Ukraine

Czech Republic’s ‘Trumpist’ ex-PM wins election, putting Ukraine aid in doubt

Billionaire Andrej Babis’ victory could draw the country closer to EU mavericks Hungary and Slovakia, which oppose sanctions on Russia.

5 Oct 2025 - 1:14AM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to accept mainland Chinese health certificates for imported cats, dogs

Expanded policy means Hong Kong recognises certificates issued by veterinarians from all mainland customs authorities, not just Shenzhen.

30 Sep 2025 - 10:02PM

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Hungary

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | For Trump, the only communists to really dislike are those at home

The limited discussion of China in the new US national security document indicates that the US president’s focus is on domestic challenges to his authority.

As I see it | Russia will end the European Union, not the other way around

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

EU indefinitely freezes Russian assets so they can be used to help Ukraine

Hungarian PM Orban, a Putin ally, accused the European Commission, which prepared the decision, ‘of systematically raping European law’.

Opinion | How to preserve Europe’s liberty in the Trump 2.0 era

If Europe truly values liberty, it must build the means to defend it and start finally seeing the world as it is, not as it remembers it.

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

Hungary’s Orban to send team to Russia, expecting end of Ukraine war

The PM is anticipating a post-war landscape in which sanctions are lifted and Russia becomes reintegrated with the Western economy.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | As China’s companies become industry leaders, where in the world are they going?

Across numerous sectors, China’s firms are setting up shop worldwide – and gaining ground on their well-entrenched competitors.

Opinion | How yuan internationalisation is helping to close the climate finance gap

Through fast-growing markets for yuan-denominated bonds, China is showing it can support sustainability projects across the Global South.

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

Estonia and Finland are among those seeking to boost their presence on the continent, revamping diplomatic and trade ties over the past five years.

Co-founder of EV battery giant CATL pockets US$239 million from 1% stake sale

Huang Shilin retains more than 9 per cent of CATL, whose shares have skyrocketed in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

‘Compliance maze’: EU scrutiny of Huawei, ZTE, Shein ups stakes for China firms

Firms operaing in EU may face regulatory costs, political risk, supply-chain exposure, analysts say, as contingency plans may be in works.

Chinese firms in EU report solid performance despite mounting uncertainties

But the survey of companies warns ‘politicisation of commercial issues’ a threat, as Brussels seeks to de-risk supply chains.

British-Hungarian writer David Szalay wins Booker Prize for ‘Flesh’

Szalay’s exploration of troubled masculinity beat favourites Kiran Desai and Andrew Miller to claim the prestigious US$65,500 literary award.

Trump grants Hungary’s Orban, a Putin ally, exemption from oil sanctions

The US president hit Russia’s two biggest oil companies with sanctions last month over Moscow’s refusal to end its war in Ukraine.

How to use paprika to give fried chicken, stews and potato dishes a kick

Paprika, used in goulash and other Eastern European stews, also goes great in potato croquettes and can add colour to your holiday turkey.

Opinion | Only a multipolar coalition can secure Ukraine peace

To move forward, negotiations must be conducted on the basis of security guarantees that reflect today’s geopolitical realities.

Kenyan plane crash kills pilot, 10 tourists from Hungary, Germany

The plane was heading to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, known for the annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti.

EU takes tentative step toward using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

Leaders left the door open for a US$162 billion financing plan as Zelensky pushes, arguing: ‘Russia brought war to our land and they have to pay’.

EU sanctions state-linked Chinese oil companies over Russia war support

Beijing slams latest punishment ensnaring 15 entities, reiterating it ‘has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict’.

Trump says Ukraine talks with Putin off for now, doesn’t want ‘wasted meeting’

Decision follows a call between top US and Russian diplomats that reaffirmed Moscow’s opposition to an immediate Ukraine ceasefire.

Europe, Ukraine prepare plan to end war, proposing peace board headed by Trump

The US president had originally planned to meet Russia’s Putin for talks in Hungary, but plans for the Budapest summit are now on hold.

Rubio and Lavrov discuss next Putin-Trump summit, Zelensky seeks invite

US and Russia make plans for Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to meet in Budapest following talks in Alaska in August.

EU to end Russian gas imports by 2027 in major energy shift

Hungary and Slovakia, the EU members still importing Russian gas via pipeline, were the only nations to oppose the new, majority-backed ban.

Will Zelensky join Trump and Putin in Budapest for peace talks? Only if invited

The Ukraine president criticised pro-Kremlin EU member Hungary as a venue for Putin-Trump talks, insisting on neutral locations for discussions.

Hungary’s Laszlo Krasznahorkai wins 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature

The 71-year-old was honoured for his visionary works, blending Central European absurdism with Eastern contemplation.

Czech Republic’s ‘Trumpist’ ex-PM wins election, putting Ukraine aid in doubt

Billionaire Andrej Babis’ victory could draw the country closer to EU mavericks Hungary and Slovakia, which oppose sanctions on Russia.

Hong Kong to accept mainland Chinese health certificates for imported cats, dogs

Expanded policy means Hong Kong recognises certificates issued by veterinarians from all mainland customs authorities, not just Shenzhen.

Opinion | For Trump, the only communists to really dislike are those at home

Explainer | As China’s companies become industry leaders, where in the world are they going?