Press freedom in Central Europe: Rising in some places, falling in others
The media landscape in the V4 countries does not show a uniform picture, sending varying messages for potential investors as well.
Hungary
A collection of 380 posts
War fatigue in the region: how perceptions of the conflict in Ukraine have changed
Public attitudes toward the war in Ukraine vary highly and have shifted significantly across the CEE region.
Human error caused the crash of the Hungarian Armed Forces' H145M helicopter in Croatia
Croatia has concluded that the June 2023 Hungarian military helicopter crash was caused by human error after the crew deviated from its flight path.
Central European euro strategies: Stability versus sovereignty?
CEE countries differ on euro adoption, some view it as a path to convergence, while others wary of potential negative effects.
Orbán’s Washington play: siding with Trump, challenging Brussels
Orbán’s White House visit secured Hungary’s US sanctions exemptions and imply the start of a golden era in bilateral ties.
Central Europe divided on EU sanctions against Russia
As the EU tightens sanctions on Russia, Central European states display contrasting political stances rooted in their priorities and capacities.
Sanctions oil shock: What awaits Central Europe’s markets
The Central and Eastern European oil market is entering a new era as a result of the US measures aimed at restricting Russian crude exports.
Refinery fire tests MOL’s resilience and regional supply
A fire broke out last Monday night at MOL Group’s Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, damaging one of the largest of its three distillation towers. The incident can have significant impact on regional oil supply and prices.
Hungary, Slovakia urge EC to stop Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil pipeline
Ukrainian drones have struck at least 10 key Russian energy facilities this month alone, according to US news channel CNN. Attacks on 12, 17 and 21-22 August all targeted Druzhba's same pipeline’s southern leg.
CEE leaders split over Trump-Putin summit in Alaska without Zelenskyy
While Hungary and Slovakia welcomed the diplomatic efforts, fellow Visegrad Four members Poland and Czechia joined the Baltic states in rejecting any settlement that bypasses Ukrainian sovereignty.
EU critical raw materials plan stalls in Czechia, Poland, Slovakia
Like other strategic CRM efforts across Central and Eastern Europe, Chvaletice is emblematic of the policy-delivery gap haunting the bloc’s transition ambitions.
Geopolitical cohesion key driver of EU trade - Deloitte report
“For Europe, analysis of the historical data shows that a 1% drop in geopolitical alignment is associated with a corresponding 1% decline in trade intensity,” Deloitte observed.
V4 braces for new US tariffs
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that the duties could cost Poland more than USD 2bn and hurt agriculture and manufacturing, although he called the compromise deal a “lesser evil” to a threatened 30% tariff.
EU, US agree to 15% tariff rate, averting Trump trade war
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen agreed a new trade deal with US President Donald Trump at Turnberry, south-west Scotland, on 27 July, setting a ceiling of 15% on tariffs for EU goods and averting a wider transatlantic escalation.
Austria should consider NATO membership - Meinl‑Reisinger
Finland and Sweden abandoned their long-standing neutrality and joined NATO in 2023 and 2024 respectively, citing heightened security threats from Russia. Austria, bordered by NATO members Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia, is increasingly the odd one out in Central Europe’s defence landscape.