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EU preparing its economy for war, but Hungary will pursue different policy — Orban

The Prime Minister confirmed that Hungary does not intend to follow Brussels’ course, although it is forced to take it into account

BUDAPEST, November 17. /TASS/. As the European Union continues to move toward a wartime economy, Hungary will chart its own course, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at a meeting with President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Elek Nagy.

"We see that Europe is on the path to war," the head of government said. In his opinion, through economic militarization, EU leaders seek, on the one hand, to centralize power, and on the other, to continue military support for Ukraine. Their plan provides for "maintaining a Ukrainian army of one million people and using 20-25% of the new seven-year EU budget in its interests," Orban specified.

Earlier, he stated that he would not support the draft of this budget, which includes unjustifiably high expenditures on Ukraine. Now the prime minister has confirmed that Hungary does not intend to follow Brussels’ course, although it is forced to take it into account. "While the entire European Union is on the path to creating a wartime economic system, we will stay away from this and build a different economic policy," Orban assured, with his speech broadcast by national television.

At the meeting, Orban and Nagy signed an agreement providing for tax benefits and administrative relief for small and medium-sized businesses. The two expressed confidence that this step would contribute to economic growth in the country.

Such measures, of which there have been many in recent weeks, pursue another goal - they should help the government gain voter support ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled in Hungary for April 2026. The ruling "Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union" party led by Orban faces a serious challenge from the opposition "Tisza" party.

Ukrainian authorities evacuate almost 147,000 civilians from frontline areas

More than 16,500 of those evacuated are children

Putin to have no quiet schedule in January — Kremlin

The Russian leader works on holidays every year, however, not all of Putin's meetings during this period are public, noted Dmitry Peskov

Defense Ministry stops buying Kalashnikov AK-47 submachine guns

The weapon does not meet the Ministry’s needs, General Staff Chief Gen. Nikolai Makarov said

Spain annually loses 2 billion euros of potential revenues from Russian tourists

Russian Ambassador in Madrid Yury Klimenko stressed that the EU decision to further toughen the visa regime for Russian nationals will undoubtedly lead to a further dip of Russian tourism to Spain to minimal indicators

Critical infrastructure facility damaged in Ukrainian city of Odessa

One of the city districts was partially left without electricity

US Representative Luna says not supporting money allocation to Kiev

Anna Paulina Luna stressed that she "never voted for a single dollar to go to Ukraine"

Continuation of Ukraine conflict beneficial to politicians, arms dealers, bankers — Orban

Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that Europeans deserve better, because Europe needs peace

Russian envoy: NATO has long history of hybrid operations

Russian ambassador to NATO dismissed the alliance's accusations of Russia inventing a new kind of military operation and applying it in Ukraine

US National Intelligence confident Russia not planning to control entire Ukraine

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called such information about Russia's plans "a lie and propaganda"

Longest night of year coming to Northern Hemisphere — Planetarium

It will last for seventeen hours

Ukrainian authorities evacuate almost 147,000 civilians from frontline areas

More than 16,500 of those evacuated are children

Two Opposition activists detained in Kiev

Criminal cases against the detainees were opened under Article 296, Part 3 of Ukraine's Criminal Code ("hooliganism")

Putin has no events scheduled for holidays, but some may take place — Kremlin

The president always has things on his agenda, said Dmitry Peskov

INTERVIEW: Russia says relations with Slovenia fall to lowest level in history

Political dialogue has been frozen, diplomatic contacts have been reduced to a minimum, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties are gradually deteriorating, said Yury Pilipson

Putin baffled by NATO Secretary General Rutte's war-with-Russia talk

The Russian president advised that Mark Rutte read the national security strategy of the United States, which is a key player, creator and main sponsor of NATO

Merz finds himself in isolation in Europe due to position on Russian assets — newspaper

German Chancellor attempted till the last "to praise advantages of the de facto expropriation of Russian assets, downplaying risks at the same time," the newspaper said

Zelensky contradicts himself about elections in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, this discussion is a reaction to the Russian leader’s latest statements

Lavrov holds over 20 meetings during two days of Russia-Africa Forum in Cairo

According to the Foreign Ministry, the top Russian diplomat held bilateral talks with his African counterparts from the Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, Botswana, Gambia, Namibia, Equatorial Guinea and others

Kiev invents new scheme to steal Western taxpayers’ money — Russian intel agency

According to the SVR, the supplies will be financed by Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, and the UK

Russian citizen wins Just Dance competition at Games of Future

Ivan Vlasov previously won the Games of the Future in Kazan, making him one of the main favorites at the tournament in the UAE

Ukrainian drone attack damages two piers, two vessels in Krasnodar Region

According to the regional operational headquarters, specialists are extinguishing fires that broke out at the piers and are covering an area of 1,000 to 1,500 square meters

Ukrainian journalists say took pictures of Mindich in Israel

The details are promised to be released later

Introduction of visas for Russians will have severe impact on Montenegro's economy — MFA

The diplomat clarified that this "painful effect" is due to the priority Montenegro's tourism sector places on the country's budget

Brussels promised that sanctions would crush Russia, but they destroyed Europe — Orban

Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that this is the price of poor decision-making and that negotiations are needed

Putin goes to St. Petersburg for informal CIS summit

The head of state will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of certain countries

Ukraine must be prepared for continuation of conflict in 2026 — US envoy to NATO

The reason is that a peace agreement may not yet be concluded by the end of this year, said US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker

Negotiations on Ukraine in Miami constructive, Dmitriev says

Talks on the settlement in Ukraine will continue in Miami on Saturday and Sunday local time, the Russian envoy continued

Putin says 3I/ATLAS comet poses no threat to Earth, it can be 'sent to Jupiter' anytime

According to the president, Russian scientists keep this issue under control and "are well aware of ongoing developments regarding this comet"

Lavrov calls Kallas’ words about EU aid to Armenia 'confession'

The Russian foreign minister recalled, as an example, that in the case with Moldova, there was "blatant EU interference in the parliamentary elections"

Currency exchange office cashier escapes with 24 mln rbls

The grand fraud was committed at the currency exchange office located in Prospekt Mira (Avenue), 70

Russia downs 41 Ukrainian drones over past eleven hours — top brass

Three drones were intercepted over the Krasnodar Region

Russia is capable of building orbital station on its own, deputy prime minister says

According to Yuri Borisov, the new Russian space station could be located higher than the International Space Station and this meant that it would be high orbital

Dmitriev hints that next Russia-US meeting on Ukraine could take place in Moscow

Special presidential envoy accompanied the post with a photo of himself wearing a T-shirt with the words "Next time in Moscow" and the signature of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Europe will sooner or later have to repay what it steals from Russian assets — Putin

The EU and G7 countries froze approximately 300 billion euros in Russian assets

Integration into EAEU should be based on development declaration until 2045 — Putin

The head of state also mentioned a draft decree on further steps to form a common financial market in the Eurasian Economic Union

Russia to adhere to Alaska agreements in all versions of Trump’s plan — Kremlin aide

The Kremlin representative said Russia would work out its position from which it would go further, including with the Americans

India ready to step up work on trade agreement with EAEU — Putin

The first round of consultations on the text of the agreements was held a month ago, noted Russian President

Trump says Zelensky not ready for peace

"He can come back when he is ready for peace," the US president said

Russia to think about peace plan proposals based on contacts in Miami — Kremlin aide

Ushakov added that, most likely, the bulk of the peace plan proposals would not suit Russia

The Wire actor dies at 36

Law enforcement officers filed a report on the death of a person, finding no signs of foul play

Putin, Yanukovich agree to exchange state visits

Russian President suggested discussing several areas of cooperation, including in the military sphere

IN BRIEF: Resuming nuclear tests, NATO threat: what Russia's military chief of staff said

The North Atlantic Alliance, under the pretext of a so-called Russian military threat, has "significantly increased" its military presence near Russia’s borders

Dmitriev calls for acknowledging existence of warmonger campaigns in Western media

UK/EU politicians push the "let’s go to war with Russia"—covering up migration blunders/cashing in on weapons sales via "friendly" contractors, noted Dmitriev

Leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan receive this year’s Leo Tolstoy Award

Valery Gergiev, general director of the Bolshoi Theatre and artistic and general director of the Mariinsky Theatre, presented the medal and diploma to the presidents

Greece joined EU initiative to buy US weapons for Ukraine — Russian Foreign Ministry

According to Yury Pilipson, there is no doubt about involvement of ‘senior comrades’ in Greece's accession to the announced initiative

Putin’s words about Europe echo position of Trump with his supporters — Die Welt

This position will significantly complicate the already tense relations between European elites and the Trump administration

Trump names Louisiana governor as US special envoy to Greenland

The American leader has repeatedly said that Greenland should become a part of the United States

US tanker with Venezuelan oil left for US — official

Vice President and Hydrocarbons Minister Delcy Rodriguez also posted a video of the tanker leaving port

Putin sends major message to West by his statement on Ukraine — portal

L’AntiDiplomatico also recalled that during his year-end press conference, the Russian leader noted that US President Donald Trump "is making serious efforts" to end the Ukrainian crisis and is doing this "absolutely sincerely"

Moon not interfering with star fall observation in longest night of 2025

About 10 meteors per hour are expected, the press service of the Moscow Planetarium said

Participation in EAEU brings serious dividends to its participants — Putin

However, the Russian leader said that "every state should carefully look at all aspects related" to the joint work of the EAEU countries

US department confirms detention of tanker near Venezuelan coast

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil," the Head of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said

Macron betrays Merz on expropriation of frozen Russian assets — FT

"He knows that there will be a price to pay for that", also said a senior EU diplomat

Share of settlements in national currencies within EAEU at 93% — Putin

The president also said that the association had implemented a 5-year strategy for Eurasian economic integration

EAEU establishes itself as self-sufficient center of multipolar world — Putin

The Russian leader noted the expansion of mutual trade exchanges and the deepening of cooperative ties between the members of the union

London court may hold hearings on Ukraine’s debt to Russia this spring

Russia was forced to take the case to the international court in London because Ukraine breached the debt payment deadline

Georgian president calls EU decision to allocate €90 billion to Ukraine bluff

"Ukraine has simply been sold out," Mikhail Kavelashvili said

Warmongers fail to interfere with talks between Russia, US on Ukraine in Miami — Dmitriev

The day before, Dmitriev told Russian journalists the talks were constructive

Thailand doesn’t rule out possibility of a ceasefire in conflict zone with Cambodia

A special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers was initiated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and will be held on December 22 in Kuala Lumpur

US, Ukraine discuss sequence of next steps during consultations — Witkoff

According to the Special Representative of the US president, the parties, in particular, held "a separate constructive meeting"

WSJ names five key obstacles to peace between Russia, Ukraine

These include territorial issues, Ukraine's accession to NATO, the size of the Ukrainian armed forces, the status of the Russian language, and control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer barred from her local pub due to tax hikes — newspaper

Minister will only be able to return to the pub after taxes are cut, noted the owner of the Marsh Inn, Martin Knowles

Russia says fakes about contacts with S. Korea aim to sow distrust between it, North Korea

These information fakes have no basis in fact, noted Maria Zakharova

Putin thanks Lukashenko for his high assessment of Russian-Belarusian relations

The president also said that he was very glad to see Lukashenko

Deep State attempts to provoke third world war — Dmitriev

Kirill Dmitriev pointed out that "US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is great for exposing the deep-state warmonger machinery trying to incite WW3 by fueling anti-Russian paranoia across the UK and EU"

Three Ukrainian drones downed in Russian regions

Two of them were destroyed over the territory of the Volgograd Region

Trump administration recalls heads of nearly 30 foreign diplomatic missions — news agency

According to its information, the heads of US missions abroad have been notified that their terms in their current positions will expire in January

Cancer-stricken Serbian sues NATO for use of depleted uranium in 1999 attack on Yugoslavia

His lawyer Srdan Aleksic disclosed that the Serbian officer’s grievance is fully identical to the 500 lawsuits, filed by Italian soldiers who were deployed in Kosovo in 1999

Dmitriev goes to second day of negotiations with United States with positive attitude

Dmitriev, accompanied by security guards, got into a car and went to the meeting area

Aliyev and Pashinyan to participate in informal CIS summit — Kremlin

The Kremlin spokesman added that such days of informal communication are always imply bilateral meetings

US in pursuit of third tanker off coast of Venezuela — Bloomberg

The reason is Donald Trump's tightening of the oil blockade against the government of Nicolas Maduro, noted Bloomberg

Captain of the sunken Russian ship arrested in Japan has not faced charges as of yet

Captain of the Russian "Tanya Karpinskaya" freighter Alexander Zaika, who was arrested in Japan on Thursday, has not faced official charges yet

Russia interested in intensifying development of ties with EAEU nations — Putin

Putin is sure that all the colleagues share this attitude

US Air Force fighter jet intercepts aircraft for approaching Trump's residence

F‑16 intercepted an aircraft that entered restricted airspace over Palm Beach, NORAD reported

Witkoff calls Russia-US consultations on Ukraine ‘productive, constructive’

Moscow highly values Washington's efforts to settle the conflict and strengthen global security, he added

Building cooperation with third countries important for EAEU — Lukashenko

Minsk fully supports the search for new partners from among the states of the global majority, moving to those regions of the world where the EAEU nations are respected and expected

Russia and US can implement many mutually beneficial projects — Kremlin

But this should not be tied to the settlement in Ukraine, despite Washington's desire to consider these topics in a single package, noted Dmitry Peskov

Dmitriev arrives at negotiating platform on Ukraine in Miami

The day before Dmitriev told Russian journalists that the talks were constructive

Russian intel chief reveals recent extended call with MI6 director

Sergey Naryshkin said the phone conversation was held "just a few days ago"

Netanyahu plans to discuss potential new strikes on Iran with Trump — TV

According to NBC News, the Israeli prime minister plans to share with the American leader his concern over Tehran’s missile program that may require swift actions in response

PREVIEW: Putin to continue two-day informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg

While the first day of the summit was filled with protocol events, the second day is devoted more to informal communication

Ukraine steps up its activities in Kharkov Region, initiative remains with Russia — expert

Andrey Marochko recalled that last week, Russian servicemen liberated the village of Novoplatonovka

Maduro condemns attacks on tankers carrying Venezuelan oil

He noted that the Venezuelan people and all social strata of society remain steadfast in defending peace and national stability

Deep State wants military conflict between the US and Russia, Gabbard says

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said that every time Donald Trump makes progress and moves closer and closer to that hope for peace, the warmongers in the deep state step up and try to do everything they can to stop it

Kiev’s attempting to disrupt peace talks with drone attacks on ships in Black Sea — MFA

Commenting on Turkey's resolute statement to Ukrainian security services regarding the unacceptability of attacks on vessels in the Black Sea, the diplomat noted that Ankara attaches great importance to ensuring the security of civilian shipping as such

Putin satisfied with work of Medvedev government

It is an enormous responsibility, a colossal experience, and I am sure Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev will use it at his new post

Ukraine’s losses in Kursk Region largest in three years — security forces

Earlier, hackers broke into the databases of the General Staff of the Ukrainian army and according to their information, the losses are estimated at more than 1.7 million people killed, seriously injured and missing

Blast that killed teenager in Moscow Region caused by mishandling of explosive object

An investigation is underway

Battlegroup South destroy five Ukrainian land robots over day

Drone system troops also destroyed six communication aerials and five land robotic systems

Russian defense technologies unmatched by Western military-industrial complex — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that established industrial production would make it possible to make tens and even hundreds of items per year to provide strategic coverage for all critical areas and facilities in the Russian border regions

No new Russia-US meeting on irritants planned yet — embassy in Moscow

At the same time, US diplomats noted that Washington considers "the channel of bilateral operations as a constructive and permanent platform for negotiations to stabilize the work of the missions"

EAEU prepares agreement with Uzbekistan on exchange of information on goods — Putin

This is a completely natural step, because all the EAEU states maintain the closest good-neighborly relations and intensive trade and economic contacts with their Uzbek friends, said Vladimir Putin

Battlegroup East destroyed five drone control centers over night

The adversary lost six Starlink satellite communication terminals

Putin sees EU's Russian asset grab as daylight 'robbery'

The Russian leader emphasized that the European Union is trying to do it overtly

Volvo files application to register three trademarks in Russia

Two of them are for Volvo, and the third is for Volvo Penta

European Commission becomes ‘Titanic’ dragging EU down with it — magazine

According to journalist Rafael Pinto Borges, Brussels has experienced institutional decline, which the European Commission prefers to ignore

Republika Srpska’s new president maintains course of friendship with Russia — MFA

Yury Pilipson recalled that "the early presidential elections in the Republika Srpska held on November 23 were the result of a campaign launched under pressure from Western countries to illegally remove Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from power"

Kiev counterattacks near Krasnoarmeysk, trying to slow Russian advance — expert

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the liberation of Krasnoarmeysk on December 1

Conflict with Thailand leaves 525,000 Cambodians dispaced — ministry

The number includes 274,800 women and 167,100 children

Kiev loses nearly 4,300 troops, mercenaries in fighting near the LPR over week — expert

Russian servicemen also destroyed more than 300 various enemy combat vehicles

Zelensky says Ukraine discusses options to ensure election security with US

According to Vladimir Zelensky, the Ukrainian foreign ministry is working on the issue of organizing voting among Ukrainian nationals living abroad