United States

Hungary

Russia

Energy

Politics

U.S. Vice President JD Vance endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of Hungarian parliamentary elections on April 12 in a joint press conference following a meeting in Budapest on April 7, Reuters reported the same day.

Hungary, U.S.: JD Vance in Hungary To Endorse Orban Ahead of Tight Election, Sign Energy Deals

Serbia

Ukraine

Military & Security

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic claimed Serbian authorities discovered "an explosive of devastating power" near a gas pipeline connecting his country to Hungary, leading Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to imply, without directly attributing blame, that Ukrainian saboteurs were responsible, Politico reported on April 5.

Hungary, Serbia: Authorities Claim To Foil Pipeline Sabotage Plot but Face False-Flag Allegations

Europe

Economics

At a European Council summit in Brussels, Belgium, Hungary refused to lift its veto on a 90 billion euro ($104 billion) EU loan package intended to support Ukraine's government finances and war effort, despite strong pressure from other leaders, Euronews reported on March 19.

Hungary, EU: Hungary Vetoes EU Loan Package for Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Hungary vetoed approval of a 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) emergency loan for Ukraine as well as a new sanctions package against Russia, Politico reported Feb. 23. 

EU, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine: Hungary Blocks EU Ukraine Loan and Russia Sanctions 

Bulgaria

Slovakia

EU energy ministers formally approved legislation to phase out imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas by the end of 2027, the European Council said in a press release on Jan. 26.

EU, Russia: EU Adopts Binding Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2027

Americas

Paraguay

France

Belgium

Poland

Austria

Italy

Ireland

Global Trade

EU member states gave provisional approval for the European Commission to sign the long-delayed free trade agreement with South America's Mercosur bloc, Reuters reported Jan. 9.

EU, Mercosur: EU Member States Approve Mercosur Trade Deal

The European Commission unveiled its proposal for the EU's 19th package of sanctions against Russia on Sept. 19, Reuters reported the same day. The measures propose a full ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports (LNG) starting Jan. 1, 2027, a year earlier than previously planned.

EU, Russia: European Commission Proposes Faster Phaseout of Russian LNG

The European Union delayed the presentation of its 19th package of sanctions against Russia from Sept. 17 to an unspecified date, Politico reported Sept. 16, citing EU diplomats.

EU, Russia: Brussels Delays 19th Sanctions Package Against Moscow

Assessments

Peter Magyar, lead candidate of the Tisza party, speaks to reporters in Budapest on April 13, 2026, after his party's sweeping victory in Hungary's parliamentary elections.

With a two-thirds supermajority, the new government will be able to dismantle Orban's entrenched institutional and economic influence, as well as reset EU relations. But a swift and drastic reversal in Hungary-Ukraine relations remains unlikely.

Hungary's Pro-EU Opposition Wins Big, Ending the Orban Era

Canada

Peru

Iran

Israel

Lebanon

China

Vietnam

A digital screen displaying news of U.S.-Iran peace talks April 10 in Islamabad. The United States and Iran are set to begin contentious talks April 11 in Islamabad, Pakistan, with disputes over the 10-point proposal as a framework for discussions and major gaps between U.S. and Iranian demands.

U.S.-Iran Relations

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

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Talks, Hungarians Vote

 A campaign billboard featuring a portrait of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is seen in Budapest's 3rd district on March 27, 2026.

Social Issues

Hungary's April 12 parliamentary elections are primed to be the country's most competitive national vote since 2010 and may remove Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party from power.

Hungary's Upcoming Elections May Unseat Orban After 16 Years

Palestinian Territories

Indonesia

India

U.S. President Donald Trump (C) holds up his signature on the founding charter of the Board of Peace among other world leaders at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 22 in Davos, Switzerland.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: The Board of Peace Convenes, Russia-Ukraine-U.S. Talks in Geneva

Columns

On Geopolitics

Germany

European Council President Antonio Costa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrive for a meeting of the European Council on Oct. 23. The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

The EU pursuit of geopolitical independence is being severely tested by Russia's direct security aggression, China's control over critical raw materials and competing economic pressures from the United States.

Europe's Dual Challenge From China and Russia

Costa Rica

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Guatemala

Mexico

Panama

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. 

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

Chad

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

Qatar

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

Cyber

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

Lithuania

Malta

Finland

Latvia

Czech Republic

Greece

Estonia

Sweden

United Kingdom

Portugal

Romania

Croatia

Cyprus

Slovenia

Netherlands

Spain

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

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

Hungary, U.S.: JD Vance in Hungary To Endorse Orban Ahead of Tight Election, Sign Energy Deals

Hungary, Serbia: Authorities Claim To Foil Pipeline Sabotage Plot but Face False-Flag Allegations

Hungary, EU: Hungary Vetoes EU Loan Package for Ukraine

EU, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine: Hungary Blocks EU Ukraine Loan and Russia Sanctions

EU, Russia: EU Adopts Binding Ban on Russian Gas Imports by 2027

EU, Mercosur: EU Member States Approve Mercosur Trade Deal

EU, Russia: European Commission Proposes Faster Phaseout of Russian LNG

EU, Russia: Brussels Delays 19th Sanctions Package Against Moscow

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