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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The European Commission is exploring legal and financial measures to bypass potential Hungarian vetoes on key decisions related to Ukraine's EU accession and sanctions against Russia, according to reports by Bloomberg and the Financial Times on May 13. 


EU, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine: Brussels Weighs Measures to Bypass Hungary's Vetoes on Russia Sanctions 

Europe

EU leaders, with the exception of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, pledged to continue supporting Ukraine and expressed readiness to ramp up pressure on Russia with additional sanctions during a summit in Brussels, Belgium, Reuters reported on March 20.

EU, Ukraine: Most EU Leaders Stress Continued Support for Ukraine, Delay New Funding Increase

Slovakia

The European Union is holding a special summit in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and broader security issues, Euronews reported on March 6. 

EU: Bloc Holds Special Summit To Discuss Ukraine and Defense

EU foreign ministers agreed to renew the bloc's sanctions against Russia for another six months after striking a last-minute deal with Hungary, which had tied its approval to the European Commission pressuring Ukraine into providing assurances regarding the integrity of pipelines carrying oil and gas into the European Union, Reuters reported Jan. 27.

EU, Hungary, Russia: EU Agrees to Extend Russia Sanctions as Hungary Backs Down 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called for the European Union to lift sanctions against Russia, asserting that the incoming U.S. Trump administration would usher in a "new era" of sanctions-free relations with Russia, though he acknowledged such a shift would not come immediately, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 17, citing Orban's remarks to state radio.

Hungary: Orban Calls for End to EU Sanctions on Russia

Chad

Hungary is seeking to deploy 200 troops to Chad, Deutsche Welle reported Sept. 11.

Chad, Hungary: Budapest Planning Deployment of 200 Troops to Chad

Spain

Hungarian train consortium Ganz-Mavag Europe withdrew its takeover bid for Spanish trainmaker Talgo following Madrid's decision to veto the transaction on national security grounds, the Financial Times reported on Aug. 29.

Spain, Hungary: Madrid Blocks Hungarian Acquisition of Train Manufacturer on National Security Grounds

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine, marking the first visit by the leader of an EU member state to Russia since April 2022, Politico reported on July 5.

Hungary, Russia: Orban Meets Putin in Moscow Amid EU Criticism

Assessments

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette Rubio arrive at the State Department in Washington, D.C., to speak to employees on Jan. 21, 2025. 

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Expires, Rubio Tours Latin America

France

Serbia

Panamanian presidential candidate Jose Raul Mulino on May 1, 2024, in Panama City. Panamanians will vote May 5 to select their next president and all 71 members of the National Assembly.

The Weekly Rundown: Panama Holds General Elections, Xi Visits Europe

Snapshots

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen between the Chinese and French national flags in Beijing on Jan. 9, 2018. 

During the rare visit, the Chinese president will seek to ease EU trade tensions and secure Beijing's economic presence and influence in Central and Eastern Europe.

What To Expect During Xi's Trip to Europe

Egypt

Palestinian Territories

Qatar

An Air China aircraft takes off at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney, Australia.

Cyber

Israel-Hamas Conflict

U.S.-China Relations

The Weekly Rundown: China Braces for Lunar New Year Travel, EU Discusses Funding for Ukraine

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (center left) and French President Emmanuel Macron (center right) shake hands ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Dec. 14, 2023. 

While EU leaders agreed to start accession talks, their failure to unanimously approve more funding for Kyiv offers a preview of what will likely be a yearslong process fraught with stumbling blocks.

Ukraine's Long and Bumpy Road to EU Membership Officially Begins

Luxembourg

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Latvia

Czech Republic

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Estonia

Sweden

United Kingdom

Bulgaria

Portugal

Poland

Romania

Croatia

Cyprus

Austria

Slovenia

Netherlands

Italy

Ireland

Members of the European Parliament take part in voting on the Artificial Intelligence Act during a plenary session at the European Parliament.

The EU's recently negotiated Artificial Intelligence Act will bolster the European Union's dominance as a regulatory heavyweight in emerging technologies, yet anticipated enforcement challenges and stringent stipulations with the Act risk impeding AI innovation within the bloc.

EU Lawmakers Clinch Agreement on Artificial Intelligence Act 

Denmark

Israeli and EU Flags

A lack of a unified EU response to the Israel-Hamas War highlights divisions among member states' foreign policies, complicating the bloc's plans to play a meaningful role in the conflict, as well as efforts to maintain unified support for Ukraine.

Israel-Hamas War Highlights Divisions Among EU Member States

Rail cars loaded with steel sit at the ThyssenKrupp Schwelgern steel plant on May 30, 2018 in Duisburg, Germany. 

The European Union and the United States will increase efforts to deconflict their trade and climate policies ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential and EU parliamentary elections, but lingering disagreements will not allow for a complete respite of Trump-era tariffs on EU steel and aluminum.

EU-U.S. Steel and Aluminum Negotiations Make Limited Headway

Solar panels on Aug. 9, 2023, in Neuss, Germany.

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Resistance to environmental initiatives in Europe will likely continue beyond the 2024 EU elections, portending less ambitious climate targets and greater protectionism.

Europe Faces a Less Ambitious Environmental Agenda

Columns

On Geopolitics

EU flags fly outside the headquarters of the European Commission on Feb. 23, 2022, in Brussels, Belgium. 

Energy

Brexit, COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis have increased the influence of southern and eastern EU members to the detriment of traditionally more influential countries in the north.

The EU's Shifting Balance of Power

Hungarian President Katalin Novak (L) and Polish President Andrzej Duda on May 17, 2022, in Warsaw, Poland.

The Ukraine Conflict

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Just as the Ukraine war motivated Sweden and Finland to abandon their neutrality, it could reconcile the European Union with two of its most problematic member states.

Will the War in Ukraine End the Polish-Hungarian Alliance?

Guidance

Kenya

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks on stage during a campaign rally for his ruling Fidesz party in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, on April 1, 2022. 

The Weekly Rundown: Kenya Presents Its National Budget, Hungary and Serbia Hold Elections

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe located in the heart of the Pannonian Basin, a major agricultural area. Two major rivers cross the country from north to south: the Danube and the Tisza. Flat, fertile lands and rivers that facilitate trade explain why Hungary emerged as a regional power in the late ninth century; the combination also explains why Hungary attracted invaders. In fact, Hungary fell under partial Ottoman occupation between the 16th and 17th centuries, and then came under Habsburg rule. By the late 19th century, Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire along with Austria.    Hungary's modern borders were defined after World War I, when the country lost 70 percent of its territory and almost 60 percent of its population to its neighbors. The new borders led to a series of territorial and ethnic disputes that have not been fully solved. During the Cold War, Hungary was a Soviet satellite. Like most of its neighbors, Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.    Hungary is an exports-oriented, high-income economy, and one of the main receivers of foreign direct investment in Central Europe. Its main trade partners are in the European Union, and the country is a net receiver of EU cohesion funds. However, in recent years the Hungarian government has been critical of some aspects of EU integration, and has so far decided not to join the eurozone. Hungary is also interested in keeping close ties with its Central European neighbors in the Visegrad Group, which also includes Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. While Hungary's main policy goal since the end of the Cold War has been to integrate into Western economic and security organizations, Budapest also seeks good ties with Russia, from whom it purchases most of its natural gas.    After five centuries of being under the influence of bigger powers, Hungary's main geopolitical goal is to achieve as much autonomy as possible and to keep its options open, especially during times of competition between greater powers.

SITUATION REPORTS

EU, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine: Brussels Weighs Measures to Bypass Hungary's Vetoes on Russia Sanctions

EU, Ukraine: Most EU Leaders Stress Continued Support for Ukraine, Delay New Funding Increase

EU: Bloc Holds Special Summit To Discuss Ukraine and Defense

EU, Hungary, Russia: EU Agrees to Extend Russia Sanctions as Hungary Backs Down

Hungary: Orban Calls for End to EU Sanctions on Russia

Chad, Hungary: Budapest Planning Deployment of 200 Troops to Chad

Spain, Hungary: Madrid Blocks Hungarian Acquisition of Train Manufacturer on National Security Grounds

Hungary, Russia: Orban Meets Putin in Moscow Amid EU Criticism

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