Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban threatened on Friday to block the next rollover of EU sanctions against Russia unless Brussels helps achieve a restart of Russian gas transit via Ukraine, which was halted on Jan.

Long reputed to be Russia-friendly, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has often railed against the continuation of the EU sanctions, claiming that they impose an intolerable burden on the Hungarian economy and provide no solution for the carnage in Ukraine.

Viktor Orban also highlighted as a major achievement that Hungary was able to pay interest on government bonds. In PM Orban's view, strengthening the middle class is a realistic goal. He noted that compared to the growth in the last quarter, even higher growth can be expected this year.

Hungary wants the European Union to intervene in a gas dispute it has with Ukraine, a potential sign of friction in the bloc’s upcoming discussions over renewing sanctions against Russia.

North Korean troops seem to temporarily withdraw from one section of front in Kursk Oblast, military says Russia claims to capture Velyka Novosilka, Ukraine admits partial retreat but says battles ongoing Russia intensifies attacks near Pokrovsk,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) announced on January 30 that Romania "firmly" supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Ukraine, just a few hours after former ultranationalist presidential candidate Călin Georgescu declared that "Ukraine is an invented state"

The European Commission will continue talks with Ukraine on natural gas supplies to Europe and will include Hungary and Slovakia in these talks, according to a statement shared by an EU diplomat and seen by Reuters on Monday.

Kharkiv region. In Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv province, a Russian glide bomb struck a residential area two miles from the frontlines, near the city of Kupyansk, killing two women on Jan. 26.

After relations between Washington and Budapest hit rock bottom during the Biden administration, Trump's return promised to mark the dawn of what the Hungarians predicted would be a 'new golden age' of cracking down on illegal migration, defending conservative family values, and bringing a rapid end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

STOCKHOLM, January 31. /TASS/. A court in Finland has ordered that Russian national Voislav Torden, also known as Yan Petrovsky, shall due remain in custody until his sentencing on March 7, the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper has said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko has awarded himself a seventh term as president of Belarus, with the West calling the so-called vote a sham and introducing additional sanctions. Belarusian political observer Artsiom Shraibman told the Kyiv Independent that Lukashenko faces uncertain future after the vote.