The Latest Breaking News from Viktor Orban

The momentum behind Western sanctions against Vladimir Putin is flagging. Even as the European Union toasts its toughest restrictions yet against the Russian war machine — including a partial ban on oil imports — concessions are mounting, from exempting pipeline crude to removing Putin’s favorite cleric from the sanctions list.

Hungary's success in removing a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin from the European Union's latest round of sanctions was "not acceptable," Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said on Friday.

European Union leaders have agreed an embargo on Russian crude oil imports that will take full effect by end-2022, but Hungary and two other landlocked Central European states secured exemptions for the pipeline imports they rely on.

European Union leaders reached a compromise Monday to impose a partial oil embargo on Russia at a summit focused on helping Ukraine with a long-delayed package of sanctions that was blocked by Hungary.

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders intend to give their political backing to a ban on Russian oil, paving the way for a possible agreement next month on a sixth package of sanctions targeting Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban has warned the prospects of Europe agreeing a ban on Russian oil exports are “not looking good”.

Hungary is in a state of emergency due to the war in Ukraine from Wednesday, its pro-Putin Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared, giving his government powers to rule by decree.

This live blog is now closed, you can find our latest coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war here

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared a wartime state of emergency immediately after his new government was installed.