Esztergom will once again host MCC Feszt, one of Hungary’s most prominent intellectual festivals, kicking off Thursday with a diverse mix of public debates, lectures, and concerts. Headliners include Peter Thiel, Sebastian Kurz, and Dominic Cummings, with nearly 50,000 visitors expected, according to MCC Director General Zoltán Szalai.
After months of negotiations between Brussels and Washington, Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump announced a new EU-US trade deal. Though hailed as a success by the Commission President, the agreement disproportionately favours the United States, risking Europe’s strategic overdependence on Washington. Additionally, the deal delivers a serious blow to Hungary’s economy.
‘In recent years, relations between Middle Eastern and Central European countries have become increasingly close in the fields of investment, renewable energy, education, and technological cooperation. Under the “Eastern Opening” policy of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, ties were significantly strengthened with non-Western countries…’
Hungary and France are expanding their cooperation across nuclear energy, defence, and agricultural policy, with strong alignment on national sovereignty and opposition to EU budget plans that would reduce support for European farmers.
‘Bilateral relations between the United States and Hungary have swiftly moved forward and considerably improved since Trump returned to office on 20 January 2025…This is consistent with Trump’s emerging second-term foreign policy, which prioritizes realist engagement with other countries based on shared interests.’
‘Beyond the purely political and economic, a strong civilizational synergy remains between the two nations. Hungary and Cambodia share the common fate of being ancient countries undergoing processes of national renewal and self-discovery, with the traumas of Communist anti-historicism—and the temptations of liberal ahistoricism—now largely behind them.’
After opposition led by Hungary, the EU has softened its stance on Israel despite growing calls for sanctions and trade restrictions.
The Council of Europe has raised alarm over widespread abuse by Ukrainian military recruiters. Days later, a Hungarian man allegedly died after violent conscription. With Brussels silent, Hungary is demanding answers—and questioning Ukraine’s readiness for EU membership.
‘Today, it [Hungary] functions as a crucial entry point for the West into the Turkic Silk Road and can offer a platform for deeper engagement and economic collaboration. With its established partnerships and extensive experience, Hungary is well-positioned to help other Western countries effectively engage with the dynamic and increasingly growing Turkic market.’
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.