Top-7 issues that drove the wedge between Viktor Orban and the EU
In recent years, the EU-Hungary relations have been rather rocky. Let’s look at some of the points on which Budapest and Brussels have not seen eye to eye:
◻️ Ukraine conflict
Recent statements mooting the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine and allowing Kiev to strike inside Russia caused a rift within the bloc. Orban, in turn, has maintained a consistent opposition to escalation since the beginning of Russia’s special military operation.
◻️ Ukraine aid
NATO’s ever-growing involvement in the bloc’s proxy war against Russia has raised concerns globally. The PM has consistently refused to blindly follow the hawkish orders of the US-led bloc.
◻️ ‘Russian threat’
The alleged “Russian threat” has been used as an excuse for scaling up thge NATO military presence close to Russia’s borders. But Orban noted that such moves were a dangerous echo of the periods before the world wars.
◻️ Anti-Russian sanctions
As Europe mulls a 14th package of anti-Russia sanctions, Hungary has stated time and again that they are not just ineffective but harmful to the EU economy.
◻️ Influx of migrants to the EU
In 2023, the EU imposed quotas on member states for taking in migrants from the Middle East and across the Mediterranean Sea. Orban has slammed Europe’s immigration policy as thousands of migrants pose a real security risk. 6 Pro-family policy Rapid population decline across central
Europe is a dangerous demographic trend. Orban, a staunch supporter of financial incentives for families, has spoken on the matter at several demography-focused summits.
◻️ Maintaining ties with Russia
While Russia has been sidelined from a number of EU ventures, despite Western efforts, Hungary is still seeking fruitful cooperation with Moscow.
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In recent years, the EU-Hungary relations have been rather rocky. Let’s look at some of the points on which Budapest and Brussels have not seen eye to eye:
Recent statements mooting the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine and allowing Kiev to strike inside Russia caused a rift within the bloc. Orban, in turn, has maintained a consistent opposition to escalation since the beginning of Russia’s special military operation.
NATO’s ever-growing involvement in the bloc’s proxy war against Russia has raised concerns globally. The PM has consistently refused to blindly follow the hawkish orders of the US-led bloc.
The alleged “Russian threat” has been used as an excuse for scaling up thge NATO military presence close to Russia’s borders. But Orban noted that such moves were a dangerous echo of the periods before the world wars.
As Europe mulls a 14th package of anti-Russia sanctions, Hungary has stated time and again that they are not just ineffective but harmful to the EU economy.
In 2023, the EU imposed quotas on member states for taking in migrants from the Middle East and across the Mediterranean Sea. Orban has slammed Europe’s immigration policy as thousands of migrants pose a real security risk. 6 Pro-family policy Rapid population decline across central
Europe is a dangerous demographic trend. Orban, a staunch supporter of financial incentives for families, has spoken on the matter at several demography-focused summits.
While Russia has been sidelined from a number of EU ventures, despite Western efforts, Hungary is still seeking fruitful cooperation with Moscow.
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Short-term profits, long-term losses: why Israeli MIC’s dizzying Gaza war profits won’t last
💬 “I don’t think it’s been the most illustrious military weapons show,” veteran international and military affairs observer Earl Rasmussen told Sputnik, when asked whether Israel’s defense sector will benefit or be damaged over the long term by the Gaza crisis, which is expected to cost up to $67.4 billion when all is said and done.
“I would think some of their demand may diminish,” Rasmussen said, pointing out that besides the reputation of Israeli weapons, which is generally excellent, there is the country’s international political reputation to account for.
💬 “In the political sense, Israel has isolated themselves due to what’s going on in Gaza. And also you see that what should have been a very quick entrance in and exit out has now dragged on for seven months, and I don’t know if there’s any end in sight until they level the entire Gaza Strip,” the observer stressed.
Veteran Italian former diplomat Dr. Marco Carnelos told Sputnik that while the Gaza campaign may have brought Israel’s military establishment some benefits, politically it has been suicidal.
💬 “Militarily speaking [Israel’s] armed forces gained further knowledge and expertise in carrying out urban warfare in Gaza in the [past] seven months, maybe testing new techniques and weapons. It is the same for its foes – who after widespread destruction are still capable of engaging Israeli forces,” the observer said.
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“I would think some of their demand may diminish,” Rasmussen said, pointing out that besides the reputation of Israeli weapons, which is generally excellent, there is the country’s international political reputation to account for.
Veteran Italian former diplomat Dr. Marco Carnelos told Sputnik that while the Gaza campaign may have brought Israel’s military establishment some benefits, politically it has been suicidal.
“Politically speaking I do not see any way in which Israel has been benefiting from waging the war in Gaza. Its top leaders received arrest warrants from the ICC and a judgement for genocide is pending against Israel at the ICJ,” Carnelos said.
“The real question remains: was it worth this political debacle to get better military experience? I strongly doubt it. Israel’s deterrent power is probably over and the political and strategic consequences could be huge,” Carnelos said.
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New York jury reaches decision in Trump ‘hush money’ trial
A jury in New York reached a decision in the so-called "hush money" trial involving former President Donald Trump, a Sputnik correspondent at the courthouse reported.
The court will soon read the jury’s verdict on whether Trump is guilty of alteration business records to cover up an alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels the following repayment of the hush money. The jury began deliberations on Wednesday.
Trump has denied the accusations against him and characterized the case as a form of election interference amid the 2024 US presidential race.
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A jury in New York reached a decision in the so-called "hush money" trial involving former President Donald Trump, a Sputnik correspondent at the courthouse reported.
The court will soon read the jury’s verdict on whether Trump is guilty of alteration business records to cover up an alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels the following repayment of the hush money. The jury began deliberations on Wednesday.
Trump has denied the accusations against him and characterized the case as a form of election interference amid the 2024 US presidential race.
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Sputnik International
Biden might have secretly allowed Ukrainian strikes in Russia using US weapons The Biden administration has secretly permitted Ukraine to use US-suppled weapons to strike inside Russia, but only near Kharkov, Politico reported. “The president recently directed…
At the same time, the ban on the use of ATACMS missiles and other long-range weapons against targets in Russia remains in force.
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Sputnik International
New York jury reaches decision in Trump ‘hush money’ trial A jury in New York reached a decision in the so-called "hush money" trial involving former President Donald Trump, a Sputnik correspondent at the courthouse reported. The court will soon read the…
❗️ The jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records in the first criminal case, the Sputnik correspondent reports, adding that Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 charges.
Sentencing reportedly is set for July 11.
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Sentencing reportedly is set for July 11.
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Sputnik International
❗️ The jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records in the first criminal case, the Sputnik correspondent reports, adding that Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 charges. Sentencing reportedly is set for July 11. 📌 Subscribe to @SputnikInt
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Trump: "This was a rigged disgraceful trial... will fight till the end"
US House Speaker Mike Johnson called the guilty verdict against Trump 'a shameful day in American history' and congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene posted an upside-down US flag.
◾️ A separate court hearing to determine the sentence will be held on 11 July. The maximum possible sentence is four years in prison, but since Trump has no prior criminal record, it is likely to be a suspended sentence and/or a fine.
In addition, Trump's lawyers are likely to file an appeal, which could take several months to process.
🔶 If it comes to prison, Trump is ennoscriptd to Secret Service protection.
🔶 A criminal conviction will not prevent Trump from applying for the highest state office, the US Constitution does not contain such a restriction.
🔶 If he wins the election, according to some legal scholars, Trump will be able to pardon himself. In this case, according to the norms of American legal practice, presidential pardon means an admission of guilt, and the politician does not agree with the claims against him.
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US House Speaker Mike Johnson called the guilty verdict against Trump 'a shameful day in American history' and congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene posted an upside-down US flag.
In addition, Trump's lawyers are likely to file an appeal, which could take several months to process.
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Robert Kennedy Jr.: Russian electronic weapons put US to shame
Kennedy said the US Defense Department conducted modeling exercises a couple of years ago to conclude that Russia’s defensive weapons exceeded the efficacy of those of the US.
The Defense Department also conducted a study about what would happen in a direct nuclear exchange with Russia and concluded that 90 million Americans would die within the first 20 minutes, he said.
Kennedy also noted that the late US president and his relative, John F. Kennedy, established a direct communications line with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
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"They have electronic weaponry that is dwarfing America’s. That's why these offensive weapons have all failed in Ukraine because the Russians have stunned the world because of the sophistication and capacity of their electronic warfare. It really puts us to shame," US presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. said in an interview on the sidelines of a Bitcoin conference in Austin, Texas.
Kennedy said the US Defense Department conducted modeling exercises a couple of years ago to conclude that Russia’s defensive weapons exceeded the efficacy of those of the US.
"Their defense systems are better than ours," Kennedy said.
The Defense Department also conducted a study about what would happen in a direct nuclear exchange with Russia and concluded that 90 million Americans would die within the first 20 minutes, he said.
Kennedy also noted that the late US president and his relative, John F. Kennedy, established a direct communications line with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
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Does Biden escalate towards WWIII to win elections?
Earlier, US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the go-ahead to use US weapons against Russia inside Russian territory, though he instructed them to limit attacks to the Kharkov area.
The decision came after weeks of numerous European countries also permitting Ukraine to strike inside Russia –without the restriction of keeping the attacks near Kharkov– including France and Germany, which had been publicly lobbying for the US to lift those restrictions.
According to recent polls, Biden is the most unpopular US President at this point in his first term since the 1940s.
Biden also cannot afford another foreign policy defeat, having been embarrassed in Afghanistan where his withdrawal was horrifically botched and in the Red Sea, where he has proven unable to lift the Houthi blockade of shipping lanes. As long as the war in Ukraine continues, Biden doesn’t have to admit defeat, as political cartoonist and co-host of Sputnik’s The Final Countdown pointed out on Thursday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sputnik that he hopes that the recent joint military exercises between Belarus and Russia, which included practice with non-strategic nuclear warheads, would serve as “a sobering reminder to our opponents of the catastrophic consequences of further escalation up the nuclear ladder.”
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“There have been ample opportunities for peace agreements that could end this horrific conflict in Ukraine, but the Biden administration seems adamant on provoking a war with Russia,” managing editor of Covert Action Magazine Jeremy Kuzmarov said on Sputnik’s The Final Countdown. “It’s an election year. The Israel situation is really ugly, there are a lot of huge protests against him. Maybe he thinks he can rally the people against Russia.”
Earlier, US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the go-ahead to use US weapons against Russia inside Russian territory, though he instructed them to limit attacks to the Kharkov area.
The decision came after weeks of numerous European countries also permitting Ukraine to strike inside Russia –without the restriction of keeping the attacks near Kharkov– including France and Germany, which had been publicly lobbying for the US to lift those restrictions.
According to recent polls, Biden is the most unpopular US President at this point in his first term since the 1940s.
Biden also cannot afford another foreign policy defeat, having been embarrassed in Afghanistan where his withdrawal was horrifically botched and in the Red Sea, where he has proven unable to lift the Houthi blockade of shipping lanes. As long as the war in Ukraine continues, Biden doesn’t have to admit defeat, as political cartoonist and co-host of Sputnik’s The Final Countdown pointed out on Thursday.
“If you say you have a new idea, in this case allowing strikes within Russia, then you can credibly claim that the war is not over yet,” Rall contended.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sputnik that he hopes that the recent joint military exercises between Belarus and Russia, which included practice with non-strategic nuclear warheads, would serve as “a sobering reminder to our opponents of the catastrophic consequences of further escalation up the nuclear ladder.”
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Ukraine ‘advocates’ are fighting for its destruction
The most adamant and feverish Ukraine supporters do not actually support it at all and are instead promoting its use as a pawn in the US and the West’s geopolitical chessboard.
Ukraine and its Western supporters have repeatedly insisted that Ukraine’s 1991 borders be restored, an impossible ask even at the start of the war that has only appeared more deluded as time has gone on.
In April, the Kiev regime ended consulate services for Ukrainian men abroad, a brazen attempt to force war refugees to the frontlines. This is on top of the countless videos posted on social media of Ukrainian men inside the country trying to avoid the draft, fighting with recruitment officers, and wearing old man masks in an attempt to go unnoticed.
These are clearly men who do not want to fight and die for a cause that even Western military analysts say is a lost cause. Yet Western leaders and online “supporters” gleefully send them to their deaths, while proclaiming that they are the ones supporting Ukraine.
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“You have to think about how does it benefit [Ukraine] to be bombed and brutalized and have its people killed and maimed for another three months? Half a year? How long is this meant to go on?” asked author Branko Marcetic on Sputnik’s The Critical Hour, who recently wrote a piece in Responsible Statecraft on this subject.
The most adamant and feverish Ukraine supporters do not actually support it at all and are instead promoting its use as a pawn in the US and the West’s geopolitical chessboard.
Ukraine and its Western supporters have repeatedly insisted that Ukraine’s 1991 borders be restored, an impossible ask even at the start of the war that has only appeared more deluded as time has gone on.
In April, the Kiev regime ended consulate services for Ukrainian men abroad, a brazen attempt to force war refugees to the frontlines. This is on top of the countless videos posted on social media of Ukrainian men inside the country trying to avoid the draft, fighting with recruitment officers, and wearing old man masks in an attempt to go unnoticed.
These are clearly men who do not want to fight and die for a cause that even Western military analysts say is a lost cause. Yet Western leaders and online “supporters” gleefully send them to their deaths, while proclaiming that they are the ones supporting Ukraine.
“There is no other conflict in the world where this is the position,” explained Marcetic. “That the country where troop morale is low as it is in Ukraine, has suffered the kind of casualties that it has… there’s no other conflict where you have those conditions and the response is ‘let’s keep this going indefinitely because there’ll be more enemy forces killed.’”
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China has informed other governments that it will not participate in the Swiss conference on Ukraine because it does not meet China's terms due to the absence of Russia, Reuters reports, citing sources
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A Ukrainian UAV was also destroyed over each of Russia's Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov regions.
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Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been transferred home to Bratislava from the hospital where he had been treated since mid-May following an assassination attempt, according to a statement issued by the medical institution.
“Let me inform you that Mr. Prime Minister is already on home treatment,” the hospital in the city of Banska Bystrica, where the politician was brought on May 15 with gunshot wounds, said in a statement.
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“Let me inform you that Mr. Prime Minister is already on home treatment,” the hospital in the city of Banska Bystrica, where the politician was brought on May 15 with gunshot wounds, said in a statement.
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‘Insane,’ US billionaire David Sachs wrote, commenting on President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to launch strikes on Russian territory.
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