Katalin Halmai
@eublogo.bsky.social
Hungarian journalist. News junkie. Former Brussels correspondent. Lives in Leuven. @eublogo on X
The Danish Council presidency has invited European affairs ministers to a new informal summit in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv to address enlargement 👏
Ukraine’s application to join the EU has so far been blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Now Brussels is hatching a plan to ensure precious time isn’t wasted.
Today's Brussels Playbook reveals details of the latest gambit. 👇
Now Brussels is hatching a plan to ensure precious time isn’t wasted.
Today's Brussels Playbook reveals details of the latest gambit. 👇
In the shadow of war
Presented by Amazon By GABRIEL GAVIN with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Contact us on X @gerardofortuna @NicholasVinocur | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser WHILE YOU WE…
www.politico.eu
November 11, 2025 at 7:23 AM
The Danish Council presidency has invited European affairs ministers to a new informal summit in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv to address enlargement 👏
The Hungarian foreign minister, who advocates zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, met with a Lithuanian politician who is under criminal investigation for openly anti-Semitic statements, writes 444.hu. Žemaitaitis’ remarks have been condemned by Israel, Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.S.
Lithuania: The Political Rise of an Antisemite by Dr. Carl Yonker - Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry
The October 2024 parliamentary elections in Lithuania marked a shift in the country’s political landscape. The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP), under the leadership of Vilija Blinkevičiūtė...
cst.tau.ac.il
November 11, 2025 at 5:57 AM
The Hungarian foreign minister, who advocates zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, met with a Lithuanian politician who is under criminal investigation for openly anti-Semitic statements, writes 444.hu. Žemaitaitis’ remarks have been condemned by Israel, Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.S.
“In the event of a speculative or political attack, we can now count on an American financial shield.”
(Can we count on it permanently or only for one year? 😉)
(Can we count on it permanently or only for one year? 😉)
Orbán: America has promised Hungary a financial shield against "speculative attacks"
Exactly what this means has not been specified yet, but there are theories. The Hungarian PM said that this "shield of protection" is going to render any instruments Brussels might use against Hungary...
telex.hu
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM
“In the event of a speculative or political attack, we can now count on an American financial shield.”
(Can we count on it permanently or only for one year? 😉)
(Can we count on it permanently or only for one year? 😉)
“If he lived in this country he would have a different view of Viktor Orbán,” Magyar said of Trump.
Orbán nemesis vows to bring Hungary back into the fold
Péter Magyar is ready to recommit to Nato and EU if he becomes prime minister after spring elections
on.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:09 PM
“If he lived in this country he would have a different view of Viktor Orbán,” Magyar said of Trump.
Full statement of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent via White House readout and Treasury Spokesperson 👇
November 9, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Full statement of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent via White House readout and Treasury Spokesperson 👇
Hungary’s Russian oil exemption: one year according to Washington, forever according to Budapest. Who should we believe? One notorious liar or the other? 🤔
November 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Hungary’s Russian oil exemption: one year according to Washington, forever according to Budapest. Who should we believe? One notorious liar or the other? 🤔
Reposted by Katalin Halmai
US government announcement of the results of the Trump-Orban summit: www.state.gov/releases/202.... It mostly lists what Hungary will buy from the US in the future.
U.S.-Hungary Relations Reach New Heights - United States Department of State
Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, U.S.-Hungary relations continue to reach new heights of cooperation and achievement. This partnership is built on mut...
www.state.gov
November 8, 2025 at 8:05 AM
US government announcement of the results of the Trump-Orban summit: www.state.gov/releases/202.... It mostly lists what Hungary will buy from the US in the future.
🤥”This is a general exemption with no time limit," Orbán stated after Washington exempted #Hungary from Russia oil sanctions. A White House official confirmed the exemption for Hungary on Friday evening, adding it would last one year.
November 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM
🤥”This is a general exemption with no time limit," Orbán stated after Washington exempted #Hungary from Russia oil sanctions. A White House official confirmed the exemption for Hungary on Friday evening, adding it would last one year.
Reposted by Katalin Halmai
Brussels vs Belgium: Commission says that if Belgium won't sign off on a €140bn loan to Ukraine against Russian assets, EU countries will need to find up to €5.6bn a year to service a loan raised on the open market.
@bmoens.bsky.social & I got the document so you don't have to
on.ft.com/47LzdiM
@bmoens.bsky.social & I got the document so you don't have to
on.ft.com/47LzdiM
EU must pay up to €5.6bn a year in interest if no agreement on Russian assets, Brussels warns
[FREE TO READ] Choices for Ukraine funding set out in commission document drafted after failure to agree plan last month
on.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Brussels vs Belgium: Commission says that if Belgium won't sign off on a €140bn loan to Ukraine against Russian assets, EU countries will need to find up to €5.6bn a year to service a loan raised on the open market.
@bmoens.bsky.social & I got the document so you don't have to
on.ft.com/47LzdiM
@bmoens.bsky.social & I got the document so you don't have to
on.ft.com/47LzdiM
Stakeholders described a severely restricted media environment within which independent journalism operates, while also highlighting the deep political polarisation shaping the run-up to the expected April 2026 elections
Hungary: Media freedom remains in crisis mode ahead of 2026 elections – ipi.media
In the past year, Fidesz has maintained the most sophisticated system of media capture and control yet seen within the European Union.
ipi.media
November 7, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Stakeholders described a severely restricted media environment within which independent journalism operates, while also highlighting the deep political polarisation shaping the run-up to the expected April 2026 elections
What he doesn't buy, his American buddies will shut down. PM Orbán, who is on his way to Washington, has already received his first gift from Trump: the closure of Radio Free Europe in Hungary. The reason? "Undermining staunch allies does not serve the American people."
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy
Orbán buys one of the best-read newspapers of the country. This is a major deterioration in a media environment that is already heavily politically controlled, as highlighted in my recently adopted report. This cannot go on - there are no fair elections without free information!
Shock as Orbán allies take ownership of Hungary’s most-read newspaper
Blikk, a tabloid with about 3 million online monthly readers, bought by pro-Orbán media group Indamedia
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
What he doesn't buy, his American buddies will shut down. PM Orbán, who is on his way to Washington, has already received his first gift from Trump: the closure of Radio Free Europe in Hungary. The reason? "Undermining staunch allies does not serve the American people."
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy
Reposted by Katalin Halmai
💥🇷🇺 Russian Orthodox bishop Hilarion (Grigory Alfeyev), Patriarch Kirill’s ex–No. 2, is seen here harassing his young assistant George Suzuki — who shared the video with
@denikn.cz. Hilarion served in Budapest, cozying up to Viktor Orbán, now based in Karlovy Vary. More: denikn.cz/1880250/lezl...
@denikn.cz. Hilarion served in Budapest, cozying up to Viktor Orbán, now based in Karlovy Vary. More: denikn.cz/1880250/lezl...
November 6, 2025 at 11:38 AM
💥🇷🇺 Russian Orthodox bishop Hilarion (Grigory Alfeyev), Patriarch Kirill’s ex–No. 2, is seen here harassing his young assistant George Suzuki — who shared the video with
@denikn.cz. Hilarion served in Budapest, cozying up to Viktor Orbán, now based in Karlovy Vary. More: denikn.cz/1880250/lezl...
@denikn.cz. Hilarion served in Budapest, cozying up to Viktor Orbán, now based in Karlovy Vary. More: denikn.cz/1880250/lezl...
Reposted by Katalin Halmai
Great news, my report on the Rule of Law situation in Hungary has just been approved by the LIBE Committee!
Our message is clear: the Rule of Law in Hungary has deteriorated on all fronts, and this has been made possible by the lack of decisive action by the Commission and the Council.
Our message is clear: the Rule of Law in Hungary has deteriorated on all fronts, and this has been made possible by the lack of decisive action by the Commission and the Council.
November 5, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Great news, my report on the Rule of Law situation in Hungary has just been approved by the LIBE Committee!
Our message is clear: the Rule of Law in Hungary has deteriorated on all fronts, and this has been made possible by the lack of decisive action by the Commission and the Council.
Our message is clear: the Rule of Law in Hungary has deteriorated on all fronts, and this has been made possible by the lack of decisive action by the Commission and the Council.
‼️The EP's patience has run out. In a resolution to be adopted today, the LIBE Committee states that the EU Council (=Member States) itself is violating the rule of law by delaying further action against #Hungary under Article 7 procedure 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 7:38 AM
‼️The EP's patience has run out. In a resolution to be adopted today, the LIBE Committee states that the EU Council (=Member States) itself is violating the rule of law by delaying further action against #Hungary under Article 7 procedure 🧵
The commission is working on proposals that would include more efficient mechanisms to suspend rights or benefits if core values are violated. A country could potentially be kicked out the club in case of repeated breaches.
New EU members could be put ‘on probation’, says official
Enlargement commissioner Marta Kos says bloc has to prevent Russian ‘Trojan horse’ behaviour from new entrants
www.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The commission is working on proposals that would include more efficient mechanisms to suspend rights or benefits if core values are violated. A country could potentially be kicked out the club in case of repeated breaches.
“There’s a combination of economic threats, as well as very personal delegate-level threats, including threats to visas.”
“They went from delegation to delegation . . .threatening them. Telling them to go back & speak to their capitals, warning what would happen if they didn’t change their minds”.
“They went from delegation to delegation . . .threatening them. Telling them to go back & speak to their capitals, warning what would happen if they didn’t change their minds”.
US accused of ‘bully-boy’ tactics to sink climate deal
Officials say ‘threats’ used to derail net zero deal for shipping industry ripped up rules of global diplomacy
on.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:47 AM
“There’s a combination of economic threats, as well as very personal delegate-level threats, including threats to visas.”
“They went from delegation to delegation . . .threatening them. Telling them to go back & speak to their capitals, warning what would happen if they didn’t change their minds”.
“They went from delegation to delegation . . .threatening them. Telling them to go back & speak to their capitals, warning what would happen if they didn’t change their minds”.
Reposted by Katalin Halmai
Czech Eurosceptic Babiš to agree coalition deal with far-right on.ft.com/4oNuWST
Czech Eurosceptic Babiš to agree coalition deal with far-right
Billionaire’s ANO party is set to govern with two smaller extremist parties, raising alarm over Ukraine stance
on.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Czech Eurosceptic Babiš to agree coalition deal with far-right on.ft.com/4oNuWST
“Mr President, your response to Viktor Orbán saying he will ask for exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil?”
“He has asked for exemption but we haven’t granted one. He has. He is a friend of mine. He has asked for exemption. What else?”
(at 4’10)
“He has asked for exemption but we haven’t granted one. He has. He is a friend of mine. He has asked for exemption. What else?”
(at 4’10)
President Trump Gaggles with Press on Air Force One, Oct. 31, 2025
YouTube video by The White House
youtu.be
November 1, 2025 at 7:07 AM
“Mr President, your response to Viktor Orbán saying he will ask for exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil?”
“He has asked for exemption but we haven’t granted one. He has. He is a friend of mine. He has asked for exemption. What else?”
(at 4’10)
“He has asked for exemption but we haven’t granted one. He has. He is a friend of mine. He has asked for exemption. What else?”
(at 4’10)
Do you have any idea who owns Indamédia, which, as a result of the transaction, will acquire a number of popular media outlets, including the most widely read tabloid? Fidesz, of course, through its affiliated businessmen.
Thank you, Ringier! 🙏🏻
Thank you, Ringier! 🙏🏻
Ringier sells its Hungarian media portfolio to Indamedia
The Swiss media group Ringier sells its Hungarian media division Ringier Hungary Kft., which includes titles such as Blikk, EgészségKalauz.hu, and Kiskegyed, to the Indamedia Network. The transaction ...
www.ringier.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Do you have any idea who owns Indamédia, which, as a result of the transaction, will acquire a number of popular media outlets, including the most widely read tabloid? Fidesz, of course, through its affiliated businessmen.
Thank you, Ringier! 🙏🏻
Thank you, Ringier! 🙏🏻
According to @vsquare.bsky.social, the Netherlands is testing the member states to see whether they would support Article 7 proceedings against #Slovakia for systematic violations of the rule of law. This would require the support of one-third of the 27 countries. But according to the article… 2/1
October 31, 2025 at 6:20 AM
According to @vsquare.bsky.social, the Netherlands is testing the member states to see whether they would support Article 7 proceedings against #Slovakia for systematic violations of the rule of law. This would require the support of one-third of the 27 countries. But according to the article… 2/1
Deniz Horzum 😍
Liberal leader poised to become next Dutch prime minister ft.trib.al/zTHgZL0
Liberal leader poised to become next Dutch prime minister
Rob Jetten seeks quick agreement with centrist partners, but rightwing ructions could delay coalition
ft.trib.al
October 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Deniz Horzum 😍
Former Irish PM Leo Varadkar told @euractiv.com he regrets not challenging Viktor #Orbán on #LGBTQI rights. He’s not alone — leaders have long avoided taking him on, always finding a reason not to. For Varadkar, it was the Brexit deal. For others, it’s something else 🤐
October 30, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Former Irish PM Leo Varadkar told @euractiv.com he regrets not challenging Viktor #Orbán on #LGBTQI rights. He’s not alone — leaders have long avoided taking him on, always finding a reason not to. For Varadkar, it was the Brexit deal. For others, it’s something else 🤐
I wish @franstimmermans.groenlinkspvda.nl were sitting across from Viktor Orbán at the European Council table. He’s the only high-ranking EU politician who truly held PM Orbán to account publicly - sharp, principled, fearless.
👀All eyes on the Dutch election tonight. 🇳🇱🇪🇺
👀All eyes on the Dutch election tonight. 🇳🇱🇪🇺
October 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I wish @franstimmermans.groenlinkspvda.nl were sitting across from Viktor Orbán at the European Council table. He’s the only high-ranking EU politician who truly held PM Orbán to account publicly - sharp, principled, fearless.
👀All eyes on the Dutch election tonight. 🇳🇱🇪🇺
👀All eyes on the Dutch election tonight. 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Reposted by Katalin Halmai
US President Donald Trump plans to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Nov. 8, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Trump Plans to Meet Hungarian Premier Orban on Nov. 8
US President Donald Trump plans to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Nov. 8, according to a person familiar with the matter.
bloom.bg
October 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM
US President Donald Trump plans to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Nov. 8, according to a person familiar with the matter.