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The American right’s growing embrace of Orbán builds upon millions of dollars that his government has spent on lobbying in the US, and new connections between Hungarian and American conservative think tanks. “Make America great again, make Europe great again!” Orbán declared in English, before continuing in Hungarian: “Go Donald Trump! Conservatives from around the US, Europe and beyond traveled to Budapest for the two-day event, which was organized by a Hungarian government-funded think tank. Two American nonprofits that are actively planning policies for a second Trump term have shown an interest in Hungary and Orbán’s model. But some of the American conservatives who flew into the country for CPAC seemed more focused on the optics of Budapest than on democratic rights.

Persons: crackdowns, “, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Donald Trump’s, ” Orbán, Donald Trump !, ” Trump, ”, Trump, Steve Bannon, President Trump, Gladden Pappin, Szilard Koszticsak, White, ” Pappin, “ saviors, Bannon, Kari Lake, Mark Meadows, Andy Harris, Zoltan Mathe, Paul Gosar, Christopher Rufo, István, Ron DeSantis, Trumpists, Kim Lane Scheppele, Orbán’s, Zsuzsanna Szelényi, ” Szelényi, Márton Gulyás, influencers strode, Joey Mannarino, ” Kyung Lah, Anna, Maja Rappard, Casey Tolan, Curt Devine Organizations: Hungary CNN —, Republican, Conservative, Trump, European Union, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Conservative Political, “ Conservative, White House, ”, Republican Arizona, CNN, Department of Justice, Southern Poverty Law, Heritage Foundation, America, Policy Institute, Institute, Florida Gov, Princeton Locations: Budapest, Hungary, American, Europe, Lago, Dallas, America, Hungarian, Arizona, United States, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Florida, “ Hungary, marveled, New York, Washington

☆ Serbia's Vucic Nominates Ally Vucevic as Prime Minister Designate
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Saturday nominated his close ally Milos Vucevic to be prime minister and to lead a new government through a time of war in Europe and tensions with Kosovo. The nomination comes more than three months after their party, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), won the most votes in a national election on Dec. 17. Vucevic took over leadership of the party after Vucic stepped down last year. "I propose to parliament Milos Vucevic as candidate for prime minister of Serbia," Vucic wrote on Instagram. A lawyer by profession, Vucevic was deputy prime minister and defence minister in the government of his predecessor Ana Brnabic.

Persons: Aleksandar Vucic, Milos Vucevic, Vucevic, Vucic, Ana Brnabic, Ivana Sekularac, Giles Elgood Organizations: BELGRADE, Reuters, Serbian Progressive Party, SNS, Socialists, Hungarians, European Union, EU, United Nations, Moscow Locations: Serbian, Europe, Kosovo, Serbia, Russia, China, Ukraine

☆ What an intense weekend on the campaign trail tells us about a Biden-Trump matchup
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

An intense weekend of campaigning, with the rivals both visiting the critical swing state of Georgia, laid out the stakes of their clash – as well as their strategies and vulnerabilities. Still, a successful State of the Union address can clarify a president’s purpose not just to voters – but to himself and his own campaign. Backstage in Georgia, Trump met the parents of Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student who was allegedly killed by an undocumented migrant. Biden’s campaign knows it must do more to defuse concerns about his capacity to fully serve a second term. “Here’s a guy who’s kicking off his general election campaign up the road with Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, won’t, Aileen Cannon, Jack Smith’s, Robert Hur, Pete Buttigieg, “, Biden’s, he’ll, ”, Viktor Orbán, ” Orbán, –, Nikki Haley, Laken Riley, ” Georgia Democratic Sen, Raphael Warnock, “ craven, Riley, dithering, I’m, ” Biden, “ Donald Trump, Hur, Georgia –, “ Joe Biden, ” Warnock, Brian Kemp, hasn’t, Marjorie Taylor Greene, MAGA Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republicans, Transportation, ABC News, Trump, South Carolina Gov, CNN’s, Union, ”, ” Georgia Democratic, MSNBC, Court, Trump Republicans, Georgia Locations: Georgia, Florida, Mar, Hungarian, Hungary, CNN’s “ State, ” Georgia, State, New Hampshire , Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, “ State

☆ Child abuse scandal rattles Orban’s image as defender of ‘family values’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Orban has long posed as a globetrotting defender of Christian values and an enemy of liberalism. But Orban’s critics say his carefully constructed image is a thin guise for a plutocratic mode of governance designed to enrich a small group of oligarchs. The scandal could also weaken Hungary’s bid to gain more influence in Brussels in the upcoming European elections. Since the scandal was revealed last weekend by Hungarian news site 444.hu, “Orban has not made an appearance or said anything. Critics argue that Orban’s proposed constitutional solution to the scandal is a symptom of his autocratic mode of governance.

Persons: CNN —, Viktor Orban, Katalin Novak, Orban’s, ”, Judit Varga, Fidesz party’s, Varga, Orban, Hungary’s, “ Orban, Kim Lane Scheppele, Attila Kisbendek, Peter Magyar, “, ” Magyar, Magyar, Hungary ”, ” Orban, Critics, ” Scheppele, Hungary –, Bernadett Szabo, Scheppele, ‘, illiberal, ’ ”, Pope Francis, Eva Fodor, Fodor, Attila Kisbenedek, Zoltan Balog, Balog, hasn’t, Mark Rutte, Europe’s, he’s Organizations: CNN, CNN — Hungary’s, Fidesz, European Union, Princeton University, Partizan, State of, Reuters, Survey, Christian, Central European University, Getty Locations: Washington, Moscow, Brussels, Budapest, AFP, Varga’s, Hungary, State, Christian Europe, China, Venezuela, ”, Netherlands

☆ 'I Went to the Wall', Hungary's Orban Says After Agreeing to EU Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's Viktor Orban said on Friday that he "went to the wall" for his country before agreeing to an EU deal on Thursday to extend new aid to Ukraine and that he averted the risk of losing EU funds earmarked for Budapest from the bloc's joint coffers. In a regular interview on state radio on Friday, where he addresses his domestic audience, Orban said the agreement reached on Thursday was a good one. "I went to the wall," Orban said. "We are not sending weapons (to Ukraine), we get our money from Brussels, and we will contribute to the civil financing of Ukraine." Orban reiterated that peace talks should start between Ukraine and Russia as two years have now passed since the start of the war, and "time was on the Russians' side."

Persons: Hungary's Viktor Orban, Orban, Krisztina, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Union, European Commission Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Budapest, United States, Hungary, Brussels, Russia

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers are urging Hungary to immediately ratify Sweden's application to join NATO, saying patience with the Central European country is “wearing thin” as it continues to delay its approval for the Nordic nation. “Despite its numerous prior public commitments, Hungary is the last remaining NATO member to have not ratified Sweden’s bid and both time and patience are wearing thin. Hungary’s inaction risks irrevocably damaging its relationship with the United States and with NATO,” the senators wrote. Orbán, a staunch nationalist that has led Hungary since 2010, has long promised that his country wouldn't be the last NATO member to approve Sweden's application. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesA vote on the protocols for Sweden’s NATO accession hasn’t yet appeared on the Hungarian parliament’s agenda, and the matter is unlikely to go before lawmakers until at least late February when the parliament reconvenes.

Persons: Jeanne Shaheen, Thom Tillis, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Sen, Ben Cardin, ” Cardin, Biden, Cardin, ”, “ Organizations: NATO, Central, New, New Hampshire Democrat, North Carolina Republican, Hungarian, Maryland Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, U.S, Visa, Global, European Union Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, U.S, Nordic, Budapest, Sens, New Hampshire, United States, Ukraine, Maryland, Washington

☆ Hungary Far-Right Would Lay Claim to Neighbouring Region, if Ukraine Loses War
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's far-right Our Homeland party would lay claim to a western region of Ukraine that is home to about 150,000 ethnic Hungarians if Ukraine loses its statehood due to Russia's invasion, the party's leader said late on Saturday. "Regarding the war in Ukraine, our message is very simple: immediate ceasefire, peace and a resolution through talks," Toroczkai said in a video posted on his party's website, calling for autonomy for ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine. "If this war ends up with Ukraine losing its statehood, because this is also on the cards, then as the only Hungarian party taking this position, let me signal that we lay claim to Transcarpathia," he said, drawing applause from the crowd. Budapest has clashed with Kyiv over what it says are curbs on the rights of roughly 150,000 ethnic Hungarians to use their native tongue. Last month all European Union states except Hungary, which is also a member of NATO, agreed to start EU accession talks with Ukraine.

Persons: Laszlo Toroczkai, Toroczkai, Viktor Orban, Zoltan Kovacs, Peter Szijjarto, Dmytro Kuleba, Denys Shmyhal, Boldizsar Gyori, William Maclean Organizations: Homeland, Dutch Forum for Democracy, Ukraine, Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Hungarian, Union, NATO Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Budapest, Hungarian, Hungary

☆ Analysis: How Orban’s ties to Putin are putting European aid to Ukraine at risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —From the start of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Hungary has been the weakest link in the West’s response. That’s why there’s so much attention on a meeting on Monday between the foreign ministers of Hungary and Ukraine. Hungary has frustrated European and US-led efforts to support Ukraine for the best part of two years. But time and again, they have blocked important action to support Ukraine and strengthen the Western alliance,” a German foreign affairs official told CNN. But that is what the vast majority of European officials think we are likely to see in the coming months.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, Viktor Orban, Orban, Vladimir Putin, Jens Stoltenberg, Francois Mori, Orban tantrums, Sean Gallup, hasn’t, ”, Putin, John Thys, – Organizations: CNN, EU, Hungarian, Ukraine, NATO, Getty, Russia, Kremlin, Putin Locations: Ukraine, Hungary, Russia, Brussels, Europe, Hungarian, AFP, brinksmanship, Finland, Sweden, Turkish, Hungary’s, Budapest, Moscow, Scandinavia, Balkans

☆ Hungary's Orban erects billboards vilifying EU's von der Leyen
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUDAPEST, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Hungary's ruling party unveiled billboards vilifying European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on Monday, the first time it has made her a personal target in a campaign similar to one against her predecessor that angered Brussels. The billboards, erected overnight to launch a campaign for next June's European parliamentary election, depict Von der Leyen alongside Alex Soros, the son of liberal Hungarian-born financier George Soros, a perennial target of hostility from Orban's Fidesz Party. Soros is Jewish and some critics view the central role he plays in Fidesz propaganda as evidence of anti-Semitism, which Fidesz strongly denies. Similar billboards showing Von der Leyen's predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker alongside the elder Soros drew a rebuke from Brussels in 2019. Orban sent out a survey on Friday to Hungarians asking whether the EU should allocate more funds to Ukraine or grant it membership.

Persons: Ursula Von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, Alex Soros, George Soros, Soros, Von der, Jean, Claude Juncker, Orban, Krisztina, Peter Graff Organizations: Fidesz Party, Jewish, Fidesz, EPP, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Brussels, Hungarian, Hungary, Europe, Russia, Ukraine

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Thousands of Bulgarian football supporters on Thursday took to the streets of the capital, Sofia, in protest over the management of the national football union, a demonstration that eventually turned violent. The qualifying match between Bulgaria and Hungary for next year's European soccer championship fell victim to a bitter dispute between the management of the Bulgarian Football Union and soccer fans from across the Balkan country. Political Cartoons View All 1253 ImagesThe Bulgarian national team has failed to qualify for a major tournament for nearly two decades. The decision fueled anger not only amid Bulgarian fans. As they had already planned their trip, they intended to join the Bulgarian fans’ protest, according to BTA.

Persons: “, Bulgarian Football Union Borislav Mihaylov, Mihaylov, ”, BTA Organizations: Bulgarian, football union, Bulgarian Football Union, Media, Bulgarian Football Union Borislav, UEFA, Vasil Levski National Locations: SOFIA, Bulgaria, Sofia, Hungary, European, Albania, Lithuania, Bulgarian

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Prime Minister Viktor Orbán compared Hungary's membership in the European Union to more than four decades of Soviet occupation of his country during a speech on Monday commemorating the anniversary of Hungary's 1956 anti-Soviet revolution. Yes, it happens that history repeats itself,” Orbán said at the event, from which all media were excluded except Hungary's state media. “We had to dance to the tune that Moscow whistled,” Orbán said of Hungary's days in the Eastern Bloc. On Monday, Orbán said that while the Soviet Union had been “hopeless,” he believed that governance in the EU could be reformed through an European Parliament election scheduled for June 2024. “Moscow was irreparable, but Brussels and the European Union can still be fixed,” he said.

Persons: Viktor Orbán, Orbán, ” Orbán, “, ”, Vladimir Putin’s, Putin Organizations: —, European Union, “, Soviet, Red Army, Eastern Bloc, NATO Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, Soviet, Veszprem, Brussels, Moscow, Hugnary's, Budapest, Ukraine, Beijing, United States, “ Hungary, Russia, Soviet Union, “ Moscow

☆ Estonia's Kallas Dismayed by Hungary's Orban Handshake With 'Criminal' Putin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

With great pomp, Viktor Orban and Putin held talks in China on Tuesday. Broadcast on Russian television, Orban told Putin that he had never wanted to oppose Moscow and is trying to salvage bilateral contacts. "It was very, very unpleasant to see that," Kallas, one of Ukraine's staunchest defenders, told Reuters in an interview in Paris. At least 2,600 Hungarians and 600 Soviet troops were killed in the fighting. This is the reality, but it doesn't mean that we should lose our interest in these areas," Kallas said.

Persons: John Irish PARIS, Vladimir Putin, Kaja Kallas, Viktor Orban, Putin, Orban, Ukraine's, Kallas, Emmanuel Macron, he's, John Irish, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Union, Ukraine, Reuters, Criminal Court, ICC, Republicans, Hamas Locations: Moscow, Estonian, Hungary, Russia, China, Paris, Ukraine, Soviet, Kyiv, U.S, Israel, Nagorno, Karabakh, Western Balkans, Middle East

☆ Berardi helps Italy thrash Malta, Hungary, Denmark also win on road to Euros
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Tommy Lund | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Italy's win leaves them in second place ahead on goal difference of Ukraine, who won 2-0 against North Macedonia. Both teams have 10 points but Italy have a match in hand on all their group rivals except England, who top the group with 13 points. Hungary remain top of Group G after beating second-placed Serbia 2-1, with all the goals coming in the first half. Hungary have 13 points, three points above Serbia with a game in hand. They are level on 16 points with second-placed Denmark, who won 3-1 at home to Kazakhstan.

Persons: Domenico Berardi, Luciano Spalletti's, Ciro, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Mateo Retegui, Federico Chiesa, Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Zaniolo, Italy's, Giacomo Bonaventura, Bonaventura, Davide Frattesi, Spalletti, Gareth Southgate's, Benjamin Sesko, Erik Janza, Tommy Lund, Anita Kobylinska, Ken Ferris Organizations: Malta, Italy, Stadio San Nicola, North, Sky Sports, RAI Sport, England, Wembley, H, Slovenia, Thomson Locations: Italy, Hungary, Germany Slovenia, Denmark, England, Slovenia, Bari, Malta, Germany, Turin, Ukraine, North Macedonia, ENGLAND, Serbia, Lithuania, Finland, Kazakhstan, Gdansk

☆ Hungary to ban rallies supporting 'terrorist organisations' -PM Orban
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends the informal meeting of European heads of state or government, in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUDAPEST, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Hungary will not allow any rallies supporting "terrorist organisations," Prime Minister Viktor Orban told public radio on Friday, adding that all Hungarian citizens should feel safe, regardless of their faith or origin. Hamas is designated a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States, European Union, Canada, Egypt and Japan. "It is shocking that there are sympathy rallies supporting the terrorists across Europe," Orban said, referencing the European fallout from the Hamas attack on Israel. "But we will not allow sympathy rallies supporting terrorist organisations as that would entail a terror threat to Hungarian citizens."

Persons: Viktor Orban, Juan Medina, Orban, Nationalist Orban, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Khaled Meshaal, " Orban, Gergely, Christina Fincher Organizations: Hungary's, REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, Israel, Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Hungary, Israel, Gaza, United States, European Union, Canada, Egypt, Japan, Europe, Palestine, Budapest

☆ Billions in frozen funds for Hungary on table as EU seeks Ukraine support
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"I can't imagine Hungary agreeing without there first being a solution to the blocked funds," said the official. A second EU official confirmed there was a link between releasing funds to Hungary and EU plans requiring unanimity, including in the enlargement and budget talks. The Commission needs Hungary to lift its vetoes on a number of issues in return," said an EU diplomat. For Ukraine, which applied to join the EU just days after Russia's invasion in February 2022, the West's support is existential and EU membership is a major national goal. Speaking to the Hungarian parliament last week, he drew a line between supporting Ukraine and unlocking EU funds.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Orban, Gabriela Baczynska, Jan Strupczewski, Andrew Gray, Gareth Jones Organizations: Budapest, Ukraine, Hungary BRUSSELS, European, Kyiv, EU, Reuters, Financial, European Union, Thomson Locations: Hungary, Ukraine, Brussels, EU, European Union, Russia, Budapest, Krisztina

☆ Tough issues to clear before EU membership talks with Ukraine -Hungary's Orban
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that "very difficult questions" would need to be answered before the European Union could even start membership talks with Ukraine. EU countries are due to decide in December whether to allow Ukraine to begin accession negotiations, which would require the unanimous backing of all 27 members. "So I think we need to answer very long and difficult questions until we get to actually deciding about the start of accession talks," he said. Commenting on Orban's remarks, Ukraine's foreign ministry said it was positive "that the Hungarian Prime Minister is concerned about Ukraine's accession to the European Union". "We would like to inform that Ukraine has not changed its territory within its internationally recognised borders," the ministry added.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Orban, Krisztina, Yuliia Dysa, Mark Potter, Susan Fenton, Peter Graff Organizations: European Union, Ukraine, Diplomats, Hungarian, European, NATO, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungarian, European, Ukraine, Hungary, Brussels, Moscow

☆ Slovak election: A NATO country could soon have a pro-Russian leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Fico previously served as Slovakia’s prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018. Heger continued as a caretaker prime minister but he, too, ended up quitting in May and was replaced by a technocrat, Ludovit Odor. Eduard Heger, pictured in Tallinn, Estonia, in November 2022, resigned as caretaker prime minister in May. In the Czech Republic, which used to form one country with Slovakia, 71% of people blame Russia for the war. “The government took a very quick and firm decision — and I’d say in doing so found itself on the right side of the history — to support Ukraine,” he said.

Persons: Robert Fico’s, Kyiv’s, “, ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Fico, Grigorij, Jan Kuciak, Martina Kušnírová, Kuciak, Igor Matovič, Matovič, Eduard Heger, Heger, Ints Kalnins, ” Mesežnikov, “ SMER, GlobSec, —, Dominika Hajdu, Mesežnikov Organizations: CNN, Kremlin, NATO, Institute of Public Affairs, Voters, Independent, Republika, for Democracy, Resilience, Austro, Ukraine, “, it’s, European Union Locations: Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine, Slovak, Moscow, SMER, Tallinn, Estonia, ” Slovakia, Bratislava, Baltic, Czech Republic, States, Hungary, Trianon, “ Slovakia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reacts on the day of the annual State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. European Commission President von der Leyen told the European Parliament that Ukraine had already made "great strides" since being designated a membership candidate last year, even as it fights to repel Russia's invasion. But candidate countries have to meet a string of political and economic criteria to begin membership talks - and must fulfil more stringent conditions on democracy, the rule of law and economic standards - before they can actually join the EU. "For Ukraine, the biggest obstacle is Hungary and the discussion around national minorities," a senior EU diplomat said on condition of anonymity. On Wednesday, von der Leyen outlined a vision of a European Union that would include not only Ukraine, but also Moldova and countries of the Western Balkans.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yves Herman Acquire, von der Leyen, Viktor Orban, Peter Szijjarto, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Gabriela Baczynska, Andrew Gray, Andreas Rinke, Nick Macfie Organizations: European Union, REUTERS, Rights, ., EU, European Commission, Kyiv, OTP Bank, West, European, Thomson Locations: State, Strasbourg, France, Rights BRUSSELS, EU, European Union, Ukraine, Hungary, Germany, Kyiv, Hungarian, Moscow, Budapest, Moldova, Western Balkans

☆ Putin: Sending Soviet Tanks Into Hungary and Czechoslovakia Was a Mistake
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the Soviet Union's decision to send tanks into Hungary and Czechoslovakia to crush mass protests during the Cold War was a mistake. "It was a mistake," Putin said when asked about perceptions of Russia as a colonial power due to Moscow's decision to send tanks into Budapest in 1956 and into Prague in 1968. Putin said the United States was making the same mistakes as the Soviet Union. The 1956 Hungarian Uprising was crushed by Soviet tanks and troops. At least 2,600 Hungarians and 600 Soviet troops were killed in the fighting.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Washington, Guy Faulconbridge, Mark Trevelyan Organizations: Soviet, Czechoslovak Locations: VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Budapest, Prague, Ukraine, Europe, United States, Soviet Union, Soviet, Warsaw, Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, Czech

☆ Putin: sending Soviet tanks into Hungary and Czechoslovakia was a mistake
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to a report presentation on the development of Russia's far eastern regions held via a video link in Vladivostok, Russia, September 11, 2023. Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsVLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the Soviet Union's decision to send tanks into Hungary and Czechoslovakia to crush mass protests during the Cold War was a mistake. "It was a mistake," Putin said when asked about perceptions of Russia as a colonial power due to Moscow's decision to send tanks into Budapest in 1956 and into Prague in 1968. The 1956 Hungarian Uprising was crushed by Soviet tanks and troops. At least 2,600 Hungarians and 600 Soviet troops were killed in the fighting.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Putin, Washington, Guy Faulconbridge, Mark Trevelyan Organizations: Rights, Soviet, Czechoslovak, Thomson Locations: Vladivostok, Russia, Rights VLADIVOSTOK, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Budapest, Prague, Ukraine, Europe, United States, Soviet Union, Soviet, Warsaw, Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, Czech

☆ Thousands join Budapest Pride in protest at state's anti-LGBT moves
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Boldizsar Gyori | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST, July 15 (Reuters) - Thousands of Hungarians braved scorching heat for the annual Pride march in Budapest on Saturday, protesting against government controls over public displays by the LGBT community. "I think the Budapest Pride is really liberating, we can be very proud of it, but I think we are still discriminated in the grey everyday life," designer Danyi Mark. [1/5]People attend the annual Pride march in Budapest, Hungary, July 15, 2023. On Friday, the embassies of the United States, Germany and 36 other countries urged Hungary to protect LGBT rights and scrap discriminatory laws. The government stance towards Hungary's LGBT community was seen as resonating with Orban's conservative voters in the countryside ahead of his fourth-term election win in 2022.

Persons: Viktor Orban's, Gergely Varga, Danyi Mark, Bernadett Szabo, Hungary's, David Pressman, Boldizsar Gyori, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: European Union, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Budapest, Hungary, United States, Germany

☆ Hungary opposes EU plan to grant more money to Ukraine -PM Orban
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST, June 30 (Reuters) - Hungary rejects the European Commission's plans to grant more money to Ukraine and is not willing to contribute additional money to finance the EU's increased debt service costs, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday. The European Union will provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros ($54.30 billion) in aid for 2024-27, the bloc's president said on June 20. This comes after a review of the EU's 2021-27 shared budget, which has been depleted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and an energy crisis. "One thing is clear, we Hungarians ... will not give more money to Ukraine until they say where the previous around 70 billion euros worth of funds had gone," Orban said. Orban said there was almost no chance that European Union member states would approve these financial plans and a "long fight" would start.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Orban, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Krisztina, Susan Fenton Organizations: European Union, Union, Russia, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, Ukraine, Brussels, Budapest, Poland

☆ Ukraine says Hungary ignores requests for contact with transferred prisoners of war
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 20 (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Monday that Hungary has been ignoring requests for contact with prisoners of war that Kyiv said had been secretly transferred from Russia and called the move an act of self interest on Prime Minister Viktor Orban's side. Hungary, which under Orban has forged strong political and economic ties with Russia and has not cut them since Moscow invaded Ukraine 16 months ago, said on June 9 that it had received a group of 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russia. "All attempts by Ukrainian diplomats over recent days to establish direct contact with Ukrainian citizens have failed," Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said on his Facebook page. Hungary's foreign ministry has not immediately responded to Reuters' requests for a comment. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the operation to transfer the prisoners was carried out solely in the political interests of Orban.

Persons: Viktor Orban's, Orban, Oleg Nikolenko, Gergely Gulyas, Gulyas, Dmytro Kuleba, Viktor Orban, Kuleba, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry Organizations: Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Hungary, Russia, Moscow, Ukrainian, Melbourne

☆ Hungarians protest new teachers' law, police violence
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsHungarians protest new teachers' law, police violencePostedThousands of Hungarians rallied in Budapest on Friday (May 19) to protest new legislation that would eliminate the public servant status of teachers, as well as police teargassing of teenagers during a previous demonstration. Demonstrators Zita Nemeth and Miklos Bus were there calling for change.

☆ Hungarians protest against new teachers' law, police violence
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Boldizsar Gyori | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Friday's protest came after a series of rallies and strikes for higher salaries and better working conditions for teachers. Protesters on Friday marched against the new so-called Status Law that would also significantly increase teachers' workload. Critics refer to the legislation as the "Revenge Law," perceived as punishment for teachers' year-long resistance. Almost 5,000 teachers have already said they will leave their profession if the Status Law comes into force. Reporting by Boldizsar Gyori, editing by Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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