In a Facebook post, Director General for the Center for Fundamental Rights Miklós Szánthó has pointed out that an image of Alex Soros and Marta Kos shows that Ukraine has not met any of the criteria for EU membership, even by the European Union’s own assessment.
As USAID’s activities—and its shady tactics of foreign interference—are increasingly becoming just a bad memory, the European Union is stepping in to bail out the network of NGOs previously funded by the American federal agency. Through a new directive, Brussels plans to establish so-called European Cross-Border Associations, which would provide foreign-funded NGOs with a protective shield.
‘The proposals of some governments and the thinking behind them may raise questions about the future of the new asylum and migration pact, which is due to enter into force in 2026 and includes the idea of binding quotas. Nevertheless, practice shows that Member States want to see fewer and fewer migrants on their territory.’
The first-ever EU–Central Asia summit has just kicked off as Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa arrived in Uzbekistan. Brussels is now trying to assert its influence over the region, which is widely seen as one of the future economic and trade powerhouses. However, most EU member states lack the deep connections and relationships with the Central Asian republic, except for one: Hungary.
Budapest witnessed rare protests in recent days, as demonstrators rallied against what they describe as a ‘Pride-ban’—an amendment to the law on the right of assembly, which imposes stricter conditions on mass events that violate the child protection law. Among the speakers was the infamous German MEP Daniel Freund, who effectively admitted that Brussels has been working for years to oust Viktor Orbán’s government, with the current demonstrations being no exception.
Hungary has made it clear that its support for Ukraine’s EU membership will depend on the outcome of a national referendum. Speaking on Hungarian television, Minister for European Affairs János Bóka emphasized that Ukraine must acknowledge this condition, while also criticizing the EU’s outdated stance on the conflict.
‘To suggest swapping Hungary for Ukraine simply because the Hungarian government does not fall in line on critical issues and instead maintains a consistent, principled position is not only impossible but reckless. It would trigger a series of developments that could ultimately lead to the EU’s collapse—a risk that already looms large.’
German outlet Deutsche Welle has published an interview with Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar which, in essence, serves as a propaganda piece. The questions appear crafted to be favourable from the outset, while crucial details about Magyar’s political trajectory—both before and after his rise—are conveniently omitted. Our takeaways follow.
‘The defence of democracy, human rights, and sovereignty cannot be contingent on political expediency or the geopolitical convenience of targeting smaller or less powerful states. A genuinely united Europe must demonstrate a consistent and impartial commitment to its principles, respecting the agency of all member states.’
In a recent video posted on X, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán outlined the financial burden the war in Ukraine has placed on Hungary and estimated the annual cost per household if Kyiv were to join the European Union. He urged Hungarians to make their voices heard, referring to the public vote initiated by the government on Ukraine’s EU accession.