Hungary has lifted its veto on renewing sanctions against Russian individuals after striking a last-minute deal to remove four people from the list. The decision comes as the US intensifies pressure on Russia to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire deal, which Ukraine has already agreed to.
‘Hungary’s humanitarian and military aid to Lebanon can contribute to regional stability and it also reflects Hungary’s broader geopolitical interests, that is, a stable Lebanon for the sake of the Middle East—and also for Europe, which faces potential security and migration challenges.’
Appointed last week, interim Chargé d’Affaires Robert Palladino was received by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Levente Magyar on Tuesday to discuss the future of Hungary–US relations. The senior US diplomat also met with American and Hungarian business leaders, emphasizing the promising prospects for economic partnership.
The EU is increasing its number of peacekeepers stationed in Bosnia and Herzegovina as tensions rise at an alarming pace in the Western Balkans. Sarajevo accuses Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik of undermining the country’s constitution following a series of legislative moves after his conviction by a federal court last week. A close ally of Dodik, Viktor Orbán and Hungary now find themselves at the centre of these tensions, locked in a sharp diplomatic standoff with Bosnia.
Former US ambassador to Hungary David Pressman continued his smear campaign against his former host country on CNN. However, while speaking to Christiane Amanpour, he accidentally admitted that he viewed Hungary as a ‘battleground between democracy and authoritarianism’ and that his goal was to defeat this perceived authoritarianism—essentially, ousting Viktor Orbán and his government.
Senior US diplomat Robert Palladino will assume leadership of the US Embassy in Budapest as Chargé d’Affaires from 7 March. However, as stated in the embassy’s announcement, Palladino’s mandate is temporary, leaving the race open for the successor to former US Ambassador David Pressman—who will face the enormous task of repairing US–Hungary relations, which were severely damaged by Joe Biden’s envoy.
Ahead of the upcoming EU summit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called on Brussels to abandon military escalation in Ukraine and instead initiate peace negotiations, advocating a diplomatic strategy inspired by US President Donald Trump.
On 18 February 2025 Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Hungary at the invitation of President of the Republic of Hungary Tamás Sulyok. According to Sulyok, a strong Israel is essential both for the fight against antisemitism and for a secure future for the Middle East and Europe. The Hungarian head of state emphasized that there is an ongoing dialogue between Hungary and Israel and that there are no problematic issues.
‘Mr Khan also took the unusual step of convening a “panel of experts” in January 2024 “to support the evidence review and legal analysis” related to the Gaza case. After this, he announced his pursuit of arrest warrants as the panellists unanimously recommended that he do so. However, it seems that the outcome was already determined beforehand.’
Several medicinal products and supplements are expected to be produced in Uzbekistan based on the Nobel prize-winning herb with Hungarian know-how. Birth of yet another miracle of cooperation, beneficial for the pharmaceutical industry of both countries.
Hungarian Conservative is a quarterly magazine on contemporary political, philosophical and cultural issues from a conservative perspective.
