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.

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.

Szijjarto criticized Brussels for blindly adhering to its pro-war policy and refusing to acknowledge reality. In contrast, he stated, Hungary has consistently stood by its pro-peace position. For three years, we have been saying that peace in Europe can only be restored through a U.S.-Russia agreement,

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,

Twenty-six European Union leaders ignored Hungary to back a declaration of support for Ukraine at an emergency meeting, underscoring the difficult road ahead as the bloc tries to adopt ambitious reforms to mobilize new support for Kyiv.

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,

Hungary wants to remove eight individuals from the European Union's Russia sanctions list and receive fresh guarantees on Ukraine gas transit talks before agreeing to renew the restrictions, EU diplomats said.

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