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Ukraine, pushed towards Russia by pressure from allies and domestic issues

Ukraine, pushed towards Russia by pressure from allies and domestic issues

The lack of progress on the front, domestic issues and allies’ fatigue may push Ukraine towards a peace with Russia. This would lead to a break with the West and fuel Moscow's imperialist ambitions.

Cosmin Popa
Cosmin Popa
04 Dec 2023
Viktor Orbán is showing signs of despair

Viktor Orbán is showing signs of despair

Viktor Orbán’s aggressive speech delivered in the Hungarian Parliament is evidence of Hungary’s lack of solutions to an economic crisis amplified by Orbán’s own policy-making, as well as of its growing isolation at EU and NATO levels.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
29 Sep 2023
DISINFORMATION: In 2023, Romania is going to lose Transylvania

DISINFORMATION: In 2023, Romania is going to lose Transylvania

Integritatea teritorială a României este amenințată și doar o apropiere de Moscova ar putea împiedica pierderea Transilvaniei, potrivit unei narațiuni false promovate de senatoarea independentă Diana Șoșoacă. În realitate, integritatea teritorială a României e garantată de apartenența la NATO și de legislația internațională.

Cezar Manu
Cezar Manu
25 Apr 2023
Hungary wants to “sell” the access of Finland and Sweden to NATO in exchange for the unblocking of European funds.

Hungary wants to “sell” the access of Finland and Sweden to NATO in exchange for the unblocking of European funds.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban finds himself in a complicated situation. Politically, he gets increasingly isolated from its Western partners. Hungary's economy is in crisis, and the European funds that could relaunch it have been blocked due to anti-democratic slippages. With all the friendship that Budapest has shown to Russia, there isn’t much Russia can do to help, being itself increasingly affected by Western sanctions. Orban's solution appears to be to block Finland and Sweden's entry into NATO until the EU unlocks funds for Hungary. However, this blackmail policy may have reached its limits.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
13 Mar 2023
Viktor Orbán’s wager on Vladimir Putin and illiberalism was a losing bet: instead of prosperity, Hungarians got themselves an economic crisis

Viktor Orbán’s wager on Vladimir Putin and illiberalism was a losing bet: instead of prosperity, Hungarians got themselves an economic crisis

Hungary has a “preferential” contract for its gas imports from Russia, but has now ended up paying more than other European states. Prices for fuel and Diesel have skyrocketed, and inflation has hit the highest mark at EU level. Besides, Budapest’s bypassing European regulations and values has prompted the European Commission to freeze €7 billion worth of EU funds to Hungary. All that spirals into an economic crisis generated, for its most part, by Viktor Orbán’s policies.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
03 Feb 2023
Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are leaving the “Russian Spy Bank”, while Hungary stands with Russia

Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are leaving the “Russian Spy Bank”, while Hungary stands with Russia

The decision of the four countries to leave the International Investment Bank (IIB), also known as the “Russian Spy Bank”, came within days of Russia invading Ukraine. The legal proceedings were cumbersome in certain countries, due to the financial risks such a move entailed. Set up in 1970, the Bank continues to operate today in Budapest, although key decisions are taken in Moscow.

Marian Voicu
Marian Voicu
21 Dec 2022
Russia’s expansionism, Putin’s outposts in Europe and the Kosovo precedent

Russia’s expansionism, Putin’s outposts in Europe and the Kosovo precedent

Russia doesn’t recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state, but it’s using it to endorse the “independence” of separatist/captured territories in Georgia and Ukraine: Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Crimea and Donbas. Besides, the Serbian enclave in Kosovo, Mitrovica, can be used by Moscow as a genuine outpost on the border with a NATO-protected territory. Just like other “outposts” Putin is relying on in Europe, Mitrovica too can be useful when Moscow wants to get something done or simply wants to distract everyone’s attention – even from a war such as the one in Ukraine.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
26 Aug 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Poland will work with Hungary and Romania to capture parts of Ukraine

WAR PROPAGANDA: Poland will work with Hungary and Romania to capture parts of Ukraine

The Russian state media, quoted by some publications in Romania, has disseminated a propaganda narrative, launched by the Foreign Intelligence Service in Russia, according to which Poland will work more actively with Hungary and Romania in order to take over Western Ukraine. In fact, Poland is one of the staunch supporters of Ukraine’s efforts to fend off the Russian invasion.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
18 Jul 2022
Elections in Hungary: Viktor Orbán remains popular despite illiberalism, corruption allegations and close ties with Russia

Elections in Hungary: Viktor Orbán remains popular despite illiberalism, corruption allegations and close ties with Russia

Viktor Orbán is one of the longest-serving prime ministers in the history of Hungary. After three terms in office, he still enjoys widespread support. Illiberal policies, corruption allegations and the close ties with Russia doesn’t seem to affect Orbán’s odds to secure a fourth mandate of prime minister.

Balázs Barabás
Balázs Barabás
01 Apr 2022