His position has given the former Warsaw Pact nation — which has a population only slightly larger than New Jersey — an outsized role in European diplomacy.

The European Parliament seeks to revoke Hungary’s voting rights in the EU, accusing the country of obstructing joint decisions. Politico reports that the Parliament is also proposing to appoint the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Hungary's biggest bank, OTP Bank, boosted its business with Russia last year, bolstering its profits, as rival European lenders came under increasing pressure to pare back their ties with Moscow due to its war in Ukraine.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Hungary's prime minister has urged the European Union to start direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire in Ukraine and drop plans for a joint declaration at an extraordinary EU summit next week, saying differences in the bloc "cannot be bridged".

Leaders of Slovakia and Hungary on March 1 threatened to block EU statements during a key summit next week unless the bloc calls for an immediate ceasefire and launches talks with Russia. European Council President Antonio Costa called a meeting of EU leaders on March 6 to discuss defense spending,

In January, Budapest, which has maintained close ties with Moscow through the war, held up the renewal of the economic sanctions that include the immobilisation of Moscow's central bank assets. An agreement was reached after the European Commission agreed to include Hungary in talks about resuming gas transit to the EU through Ukraine.

Budapest voices concerns over an alleged second drone attack by Ukraine on key TurkStream gas pipeline pumping facility in Russia

EU member states agreed to unlock what could amount to an unprecedented 800 billion euros ($867 billion) for defense spending amid mounting signs the U.S. is no longer a reliable ally, and the defense of Ukraine is falling squarely on their shoulders.

The European Council has issued a joint statement reaffirming unwavering support for Ukraine, highlighting five key principles aimed at securing a lasting peace. EU leaders emphasized that no negotiations with Russia can occur without Ukraine's direct involvement and that European security must be part of the talks.

US President Donald Trump will support Israel, Argentina, Hungary, build friendly relations with Russia, and with To be hostile to China, "it is for this that he needs to make peace with Russia," says orientalist Alexander Kargin.