Poland's foreign minister accused Hungary of showing a shocking lack of solidarity for Ukraine on Monday, and said he believed the Hungarian government was creating a climate of hostility towards Kyiv to use in an upcoming election campaign.
"I would have expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine," Radoslaw Sikorski told reporters in Brussels, as Budapest looked poised to block proposed EU sanctions on Russia on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war.
"And instead, with the help of state propaganda…the ruling party managed to create a climate of hostility towards the victim of aggression. And now it's trying to exploit that in the general election. It's quite shocking."
EU leaders have voiced frustration over Hungary’s longstanding opposition to supporting neighbouring Ukraine. Budapest said it will block a 90 billion euro loan for Kyiv until Ukraine resumes oil shipments.
It comes as Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky warned over the weekend that Vladimir Putin has already started World War Three, arguing that only intense military and economic pressure would end the conflict, approaching its fifth year.
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In a harrowing dispatch from the frontline city of Nikopol – so close to Russian forces that few journalists have ventured there – World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley talks to children, parents and teachers who are hunted down daily by Putin’s deadly quadcopters, yet have somehow managed to survive James Reynolds23 February 2026 10:03
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Hungary should remember history, says Sikorski
Speaking in Brussels, Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski says he would have expected a much bigger feeling of solidarity for Ukraine from Hungary, as it was attacked by the Red Army in the past.
"I would have expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine," Sikorski told reporters in Brussels.
"And instead, with the help of state propaganda…the ruling party managed to create a climate of hostility towards the victim of aggression. And now it's trying to exploit that in the general election. It's quite shocking."
Budapest continues to obstruct the EU’s efforts to sanction Russia over its war in Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday the bloc would likely not reach an agreement today, given Hungarian resistance.
The USSR ordered tanks and troops into Hungary in 1956 to crush a nascent rebellion. Many thousands were killed or fled West, seeking asylum.
James Reynolds23 February 2026 08:28
Former UK PM Boris Johnson says UK should immediately send non-combat troops to Ukraine
Former prime minister Boris Johnson has called for troops from the UK and Europe to be deployed immediately to Ukraine.
Mr Johnson said non-combat forces should be stationed in peaceful regions to send a firm message to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Speaking ahead of the fourth anniversary of the invasion, the former politician told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that Ukraine’s allies had been “too slow” to respond.
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Boris Johnson says UK should immediately send non-combat troops to Ukraine
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South Korea urges Russian embassy to remove 'victory' banner as Ukraine war anniversary nears
South Korea has asked the Russian embassy in Seoul to take down a large banner reading "Victory will be ours", its foreign ministry said, just ahead of this week's fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine.
The ministry said in a statement on Sunday that it had conveyed its concerns to the embassy without clarifying whether it had received a response.
The roughly 15-metre (49.21 ft) banner, in the colours of the Russian flag and written in Russian, was hung on the embassy's outer wall in central Seoul ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday.
The banner remained in place on Monday.
In its statement, the ministry reiterated South Korea's position that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is illegal.
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Zelensky hints ‘real compromise’ could be made with Russia
Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine is prepared for "real compromises" to end the war, but not at the expense of its independence or sovereignty.
He expressed willingness to discuss compromises with the United States, while rejecting repeated "ultimatums" from Russia.
Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would consider peace based on current battlelines, accusing Russia of "terrorism" through its demands.
"Stay where we stay – this is a big compromise," Zelensky said, confirming reports that Ukraine is agreeing to freeze the current lines of conflict as part of any deal.
"They took almost 20 per cent of our territory and we are ready to speak about peace at this moment, on the basis of 'stay where we stay'.
"This is a big compromise. What does Russia offer us as a compromise? What are they ready to do?
"We are ready for real compromises. But not compromises at the cost of our independence and sovereignty. We are ready to speak about compromises with the United States. But not to get ultimatums from the Russians again and again. They are the aggressor. Everybody has recognised it,” he said.
"They said, 'We are ready not to occupy your other regions'. But it is terrorism. Even that language, it is terrorism. 'I'm ready not to kill you – give us everything',” the Ukrainian leader said, calling it an “ultimatum” and “not a compromise.
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Lviv attack: Bomb explosions kill police officer and injure 24
One police officer was killed and 24 people were wounded after several explosive devices detonated at midnight in Lviv, in western Ukraine, the National Police said on Sunday, in an attack president Volodymyr Zelensky blamed on Russia.
"It has been preliminarily established that homemade explosive devices detonated," the police officials said.
Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi described the incident as a terrorist act and said a 23-year-old policewoman had died. Twelve people remained in hospital, two in serious condition, he said.
Interior minister Ihor Klymenko said a woman had been detained in connection with the investigation.
The police said that the first explosion occurred after a patrol crew arrived at the suspected scene of a shop break-in, while the second explosion occurred a little later.
Arpan Rai23 February 2026 06:56
Russian attack on Odesa region kills two people
A Russian attack on Ukraine's southern Odesa region has killed at least two people and injured three overnight, Ukraine’s emergency service said this morning.
People died when a Russian drone fell on a truck stop causing a fire, the service said on its Telegram channel.
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