Tamás Orbán is a political journalist for europeanconservative.com, based in Brussels. Born in Transylvania, he studied history and international relations in Kolozsvár, and worked for several political research institutes in Budapest. His interests include current affairs, social movements, geopolitics, and Central European security. On Twitter, he is @TamasOrbanEC.
U.S. Won’t Oppose Third-Party Fighter Jet Transfers to Ukraine

U.S. Won’t Oppose Third-Party Fighter Jet Transfers to Ukraine

Biden remains reluctant to transfer F-16s to Kyiv, but would allow other allies to do so. The problem seems to be that not a single one has requested them so far.

May 19, 2023
Border Walls to Deliver Conservative Victory in Greece

Border Walls to Deliver Conservative Victory in Greece

While a clear parliamentary majority seems unlikely, the center-right New Democracy is set to win Sunday’s election, and in large part due to the promise of building a wall and having the EU pay for it.

May 19, 2023
Done Deal: EU Makes Crypto Traceable

Done Deal: EU Makes Crypto Traceable

No more tax evasion with crypto, as service providers now need licenses to operate and are required to collect and share data on all transactions with the relevant authorities.

May 18, 2023
Western Coalition To Lobby for Fighter Jets on Behalf of Ukraine

Western Coalition To Lobby for Fighter Jets on Behalf of Ukraine

The UK and the Netherlands have vowed to create an international “fighter jet coalition” to help Kyiv procure F-16s and other aircraft. France and Belgium have promised to train Ukrainian pilots, however, no aircraft has been pledged so far.

May 18, 2023
EP ‘Fact-Finding’ Mission to Hungary: No Place for Bias

EP ‘Fact-Finding’ Mission to Hungary: No Place for Bias

EU funds must be disbursed without political bias, the delegation stressed, but as Minister Navracsics noted, the MEPs themselves were prone to partiality, inevitable since they hadn’t read the document’s contents.

May 18, 2023
Still No Agreement on EU Sanctions Package

Still No Agreement on EU Sanctions Package

More concessions from the Commission are to be expected as EU members remain divided on shutting down gas pipelines, barring deceitful vessels, and slapping third countries who help Russia with separate sanctions in fear of economic blowback.

May 17, 2023
Hungary To Block €500 Million For Weapons to Ukraine

Hungary To Block €500 Million For Weapons to Ukraine

Officially, Hungary wants clarifications on the future role of the EU’s peace fund, but local sources claim the move is also a response to Kyiv’s unfair decision to sanction a Hungarian bank.

May 16, 2023
EU To Slap Tariffs on Small Goods

EU To Slap Tariffs on Small Goods

The proposal seeks to eliminate the existing €150 limit on importing small goods free of charges, so European customers would have to pay both sales tax and customs duties on every item in the future.

May 16, 2023
Serbia To Hold Snap Elections After Protests Over Mass Shootings

Serbia To Hold Snap Elections After Protests Over Mass Shootings

President Vučić called the amnesty a success, with over 13 thousand illegally held firearms surrendered in less than two weeks.

May 16, 2023
EU Doubles Down on “De-Risking” With China

EU Doubles Down on “De-Risking” With China

The aim is not to decouple the EU and China’s economies, but to “rebalance” the relationship, Borrell said.

May 16, 2023
Democracy Summit Unveils 7-Point Ukraine Charter

Democracy Summit Unveils 7-Point Ukraine Charter

With all the heads of state legitimizing the Ukraine Charter, it should be regarded as the West’s collective program towards Ukraine, both during the war and beyond.

May 16, 2023
Erdogan Wins First Round, Turkey Headed for Runoffs

Erdogan Wins First Round, Turkey Headed for Runoffs

The incumbent forces clearly won in the parliament, but there’s still a chance the opposition can snatch the presidential seat in the upcoming run-ups. But if left to the kingmaker, chances are they won’t.

May 15, 2023