Serbia, Slovakia and Poland's call for a permanent end to Russian gas flows pose issues for the Russian leader.

The European Union has agreed to prolong for 6 months a raft of sanctions aimed at depriving Russia of funds to finance its war against Ukraine

Milos Vucevic, the Serbian Prime Minister, has been forced to resign following widespread protests, dealing a significant blow to Vladimir Putin's support in Europe. The Serbian leader announced his departure after demonstrations erupted over a tragic incident in November 2024,

Sikorski believes that Budapest changed its mind after Trump called Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as an aggressor and threatened Moscow with sanctions if it did not engage in peace talks. It was the new US president's first clear position on Russia's war against Ukraine.

Hungary has stopped delaying the renewal of European sanctions on Moscow, which may have detrimental consequences on its relationship with Russia.

The European Union will moved forward with a renewal on Russian sanctions after a deal was struck with Hungary, according to multiple reports.

Orban, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the EU, has broken with the majority of European leaders and vocally opposed such sanctions, arguing they did more to damage Euro

Viktor Orban’s government would be ‘playing with fire’ by blocking renewal of sanctions on Russia, diplomat says

The expansionism of the presidents of Russia and the United States set a dangerous example for less powerful countries that have open territorial disputes with Ukraine

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has labeled Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk as an “agent” of billionaire George Soros after Tusk warned that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban would face “consequences” if he blocks the renewal of EU sanctions on Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Peskov makes these remarks in response to American journalist's claims that US leadership had plotted assassination attempt on Russia's leader - Anadolu Ajansı

Nevertheless, Putin’s New Year’s message remained upbeat. He looked ahead to the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Germany in World War II, assuring the nation of its strength.