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.
Hungary
A collection of 376 posts
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.
Polish gov’t creates economy superministry in major cabinet reshuffle
The model reflects past moves in Hungary and Romania to centralise economic power, often justified as way to improve implementation. Poland’s approach, however, appears more technocratic, with few political figures outside the prime minister and foreign minister elevated.
Poland, Czechia, Baltics lead Ukraine recovery push, Hungary, Slovakia reject plans
CEE contributions include cross-border logistics, public-private coordination platforms, and green recovery initiatives. Regional forums such as the Three Seas Initiative are also expected to play a larger role in financing and implementation.
Poland leads EU funding recipients with EUR 123.3 bn in long‑term budget draft
The European Commission (EC) published long-term budget allocation plans on 17 July, showing Poland set to receive the highest national allocation under the 2028-34 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), totalling EUR 123.3bn.
CEE countries jointly oppose EU's 'flexible funding' plan
The signatories, including Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, said the policy’s “visibility and predictability” would be compromised if merged into a broader single investment fund.