Hundreds of Hungarians protest in Budapest ahead of Putin visit

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 17.02.15
Publication Date 17/02/2015
Content Type

Hundreds of people protested in the streets of Budapest on 16 February 2015 ahead of a visit to Hungary by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Organizers told journalists protesters desired to remain rooted to the European Union and the West, as opposed to swaying towards Russia.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been critical of the EU for imposing sanctions on Russia. Following the visit - where he agreed conisderable gas price discounts with Russia - Mr Orban considered the EU's planned Energy Union a 'threat' to his country because it hinders national sovereignty. Hungary's prime minister also made it clear that the country would no longer reverse Russian gas to Ukraine.

Source Link http://dw.de/p/1Eci6
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Hungarians rally against Orban, appeal to Merkel http://www.europeansources.info/record/hungarians-rally-against-orban-appeal-to-merkel/
ESO: Background information: How should Europe respond to Russia? The Hungarian view http://www.europeansources.info/record/how-should-europe-respond-to-russia-the-hungarian-view/
Euronews, 16.02.15: Hungarians stage anti-Putin protest ahead of Russian leader’s visit http://www.euronews.com/2015/02/16/hungarians-stage-anti-putin-protest-ahead-of-russian-leader-s-visit/
BBC News, 17.02.15: Hungarians protest as Putin meets Orban http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31499654
EurActiv, 18.02.15: Putin and Orbán contemplate stronger energy ties http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/putin-and-orban-contemplate-stronger-energy-ties-312207
EUObserver, 18.02.15: Orban gives Putin warm welcome https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/127693
EurActiv, 19.02.15: Orbán complains about Tusk over the EU's Russia policy http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/orban-complains-about-tusk-over-eus-russia-policy-312247
EurActiv, 20.02.15: Orbán says EU’s Energy Union is a threat to Hungary http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-priorities-2020/orban-says-eus-energy-union-threat-hungary-312290
EurActiv, 20.02.15: Romanian spy chief warns of ‘threat for EU from Hungary’ http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/romanian-spy-chief-warns-threat-eu-hungary-312302

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