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Viktor Orban

Viktor Orban
The latest news and updates on Viktor Orban, a Hungarian lawyer who co-founded the anti-communist Federation of Young Democrats (Fidesz), initially liberal, later shifting it to the centre-right. He served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 2002, overseeing Hungary’s NATO accession and economic improvements. Continuously holding the premiership since 2010, Orban leads Fidesz, implementing conservative, nationalist policies. His tenure is characterised by "illiberal Christian democracy," strong anti-immigration stances, and pronatalist initiatives. While credited with economic growth, his administration faces significant criticism for undermining democratic institutions, judicial independence, and media freedom.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (right) receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the headquarters of the Spanish government on Wednesday. Photo: dpa
Ukraine war

Zelensky urges EU to bypass Hungarian veto on vital US$103 billion loan

Putin ally Viktor Orban has been blocking the loan, in part because of a closed pipeline supplying his country with Russian oil in Ukraine.

Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ debuts with Gaza pledge as war threat looms elsewhere

Diplomacy

Trump official says US to fund ‘free speech’ initiatives in Europe

Donald Trump

Leaders invited to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in US. Who’s going?

Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orban confirm attendance after invitations go out.

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US President Donald Trump launched his ‘Board of Peace’ at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January. Photo: AFP
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Watch Trump showcase his ‘Board of Peace’ in Davos

Donald Trump has extended invitations to dozens of nations and hinted at the board’s future role as conflict mediator - with him as chairman.

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Donald Trump

Allies tepid on joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ as countries study invites

Some leaders sign on to the Trump-chaired body, but initial reaction from two key allies, France and Canada, was lukewarm.

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Donald Trump

A ‘Trump UN’ with US$1 billion entry? Nations cautious on Board of Peace plan

US president invites 60 nations to join his ‘Board of Peace’, with permanent membership available for states that pay US$1 billion.

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US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. Photo: AP
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.

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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’.

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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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

ANO leader Andrej Babis speaks during a press conference at the party’s election headquarters in Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Trump tells Nato nations to shoot down intruding Russian planes

The US president declined to say whether Washington would support the military alliance if it engaged Russian jets over its airspace.

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Ukraine war

Russia has won Ukraine war, Hungary’s Orban says ahead of Trump-Putin summit

The right-wing PM was the only EU leader not to endorse a joint statement saying Ukraine should have the freedom to decide its future.

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My Take

My Take | Europe being run into the ground by amateurs and ideologues

Subservient to the United States while being antagonistic to China, the EU-Nato axis is guaranteed to end up with the worst of both worlds.

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Xi Jinping meets with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at the 25th China-EU Summit held in Beijing, China, on July 24. Photo: Xinhua
European Union

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen easily survives parliament no-confidence vote

EU lawmakers dismissed allegations against Ursula von der Leyen regarding private text messaging with Pfizer’s CEO, misuse of funds, and election interference.

European Union

Biggest-ever Budapest Pride defies Orban ban in Hungary

Up to 200,000 people took part in support of LGBTQ rights despite the president warning that there could be ‘legal consequences’.

Ukraine war

EU leaders agree to prolong sanctions on Russia for 6 months

Decision includes the freezing of more than US$234 billion in Russian central bank assets and will remain in force until at least early 2026.

The EU’s 27 leaders on Thursday agreed to extend sanctions on Russia for another six months. Photo: Reuters
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