Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has long been a headache for European leaders who try to take a hard line on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Orban, a long-time Putin ally,

Serbia, which for years maintained military connections with Russia and equipped itself with Russian aircraft, is now facing issues with them. Instead of pursuing further contracts with Moscow, Belgrade is increasingly looking to make agreements with NATO countries.

Hungary wants to remove eight individuals from the European Union's Russia sanctions list and receive fresh guarantees on Ukraine gas transit talks before agreeing to renew the restrictions, EU diplomats said.

The military deadlock, fatigue of public opinion and fear of escalation are all working in Moscow's favor, to the detriment of Europe, at a time when the latter is being abandoned by its American ally.

Budapest voices concerns over an alleged second drone attack by Ukraine on key TurkStream gas pipeline pumping facility in Russia

Hungary has threatened to block the latest package of sanctions against Russia unless it receives guarantees on the resumption of gas supplies through Ukraine.