Saint Ladislaus, the Crusade Leader

‘The first units of the First Crusade, and then the main army led by Godfrey of Bouillon, did cross the Hungarian Kingdom, but by then King Coloman was on the throne, the successor of Ladislaus. It was also well known that the only Hungarian-led crusade to the Holy Land was launched in 1217 under King Andrew II. Yet Hungarian medieval narrative sources record one more. They tell an interesting and controversial story about King Saint Ladislaus…Given the fact that the Hungarian king died on 29 July 1095, almost half a year before the first Crusade was announced at the Council of Clermont in November 1095, modern scholarship quickly lost confidence in the historicity of the account.’

Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomes Viktor Orbán in Kyiv on 2 July 2024.

Hungarian Aspirations to Mediate in the War and the Changing Relationship between Hungary and Ukraine

In December last year a new law created a distinct category for ‘EU minorities’ in Ukraine (such as the Hungarian and Romanian ethnic minorities) that now have access to more privileges than for instance the Russian minority. Later, as a sign of goodwill to better relations, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó visited Ukraine. Now, with the meeting between Orbán and Zelenskyy the two country’s relationship is officially warming up. If in the long-term Budapest does manage to considerably contribute to peace between Russia and Ukraine, as it clearly intends to, it might have a long-lasting positive impact on bilateral relations.

Viktor Orbán and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on 2 July 2024

Let Us Be Clear: We Do Not Serve Russian Interests!

‘If the Hungarian government’s foreign policy in recent months had truly been to serve Russian interests, then, for example, the NATO secretary general would not have left Budapest with a free hand from Hungary to negotiate and conduct NATO training and support for Ukraine, as well as to undertake a long-term financial commitment required for military support, even if Hungary will not itself participate in these NATO efforts.’

Hungary Euro 2024 Stars: Barnabás Varga Is Getting Better, Martin Ádám Has Not Returned to His Club Yet

Barnabás Varga, who sustained a scary head injury against Scotland in the last group game, is currently recovering in his hometown of Szentpéterfa in Western Hungary, where he was visited by his club’s in-house media team for an update on his condition. Meanwhile, Martin Ádám has not returned to his club Ulsan HD in South Korea, and his manager is reportedly in talks to terminate his contract with the club.

Balázs Orbán to Le Monde: ‘The Ukraine conflict is not our conflict’

Political Director for the Prime Minister of Hungary Balázs Orbán talked to the prominent French paper Le Monde. In the piece, he discussed Hungary’s pro-peace approach to the Russo⁠–⁠Ukrainian war, the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President, and Fidesz’s pursuit of joining a political group in the European Parliament as well.

RMDSZ President Hunor Kelemen Highlights Best Election Results in Twenty Years

At the Union’s Representative Council (SZKT) meeting in Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca) on Thursday, the RMDSZ president stated that the alliance is the only credible representative of Hungarians in Transylvania. He explained that the RMDSZ serves as a tool for Hungarian advocacy and as an organizer for the Hungarian community in Transylvania, with over 90 per cent of votes for Hungarian parties going to RMDSZ candidates in this year’s local elections.

Discourses on Livy: Machiavelli’s Relevance Today

‘A successful republic, according to Machiavelli, is characterized by laws that are lived by rather than frequently amended. While no system of governance can achieve absolute perfection, a stable republic can achieve a functional balance. For him Rome serves as a historical exemplar of such a system, where laws were respected and adhered to, placing communal benefits above personal gain, thus prudently managing both public and private affairs.’