What could be Europe’s future: a decline, or a new golden age? How imminent is the Russian threat to Europe? How does Sweden view Hungary’s fight for sovereignty? We asked former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt about Europe’s bright or dark future at Brain Bar 2025 in Budapest.
‘Kirk made his name in the very arena where conservative ideas are often least welcome: academia. To many progressive students, his campus events provided their first real exposure to conservative arguments; to right-leaning students, he offered both encouragement and a sense of belonging. Yet Kirk’s reach extended far beyond the lecture hall.’
Brain Bar 2025 returns to Budapest on 18–19 September, promising two days of world-class speakers and bold debates at the House of Music Hungary. From Ben Lamm’s plans to resurrect the dire wolf to Geoffrey West’s theories on universal growth laws and Tibor Kapu’s insights into space, the festival will explore the future of science, society, and humanity.
Péter Szijjártó said on Thursday that Hungary is ready to host potential Putin–Zelenskyy talks to end the war in Ukraine. With Trump’s administration eyeing Budapest as a possible location, the city has emerged as a strong contender—but also a divisive one, drawing a sharp rebuke from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who warned against repeating past failures.
A Newsweek op-ed by Ilya Shapiro and Charles Yockey hails Hungary’s university reform as a template for conservatives, claiming Western campuses have abandoned neutrality for ideological enforcement. They argue the foundation model ensures accountability and academic freedom across the political spectrum.
‘Therefore, two Antemurale myths are currently clashing in Europe: one geopolitical and ideological, in which Ukraine is seen as the last bulwark of European civilization; the other cultural and demographic, with Hungary positioning itself as the defender of traditional Western values and Christianity.’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her speech during Monday’s motion of censure debate not to take accountability for Pfizergate, but instead to frame her political opponents as ‘Putin apologists’ and ‘conspiracy theorists’. The debate laid bare everything that is wrong with EU leadership and the lack of accountability among unelected bureaucrats.
In the latest sign of deteriorating relations, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Hungarian Ambassador to Kyiv Antal Hejzer in response to an advertising campaign portraying Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar as the ‘Hungarian Zelenskyy’. Ukraine’s EU accession is increasingly becoming a central topic in the electoral campaign for Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary election.
Taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, Denmark has promised to exert maximum pressure on Hungary to lift its veto on Ukraine’s EU accession. However, looking back over recent years, there have been several similar threats against Viktor Orbán’s government, and Copenhagen does not have anything new to bring to the table either.
The recent informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Budapest showcased Hungary’s growing profile. Now it’s time to think bigger.