What's happened
Hungary's extension of its National Card program to Russian and Belarusian citizens has raised alarms among EU officials, citing potential security risks amid ongoing tensions with Russia. The program allows easier access to the EU's Schengen zone, prompting calls for stricter security measures.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Lorne Cook from The Independent, European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson highlighted the oddity of welcoming citizens from countries hostile to the EU, stating, "This is a time for more vigilance, not less." In contrast, Janos Boka, Hungary's minister for EU affairs, dismissed these concerns as "political hysteria," arguing that the national card system does not pose a security threat. The Moscow Times reported that Hungary has issued only 14 national cards to Russian and Belarusian citizens since the program's expansion, suggesting that the actual impact may be limited. Politico noted Hungary's ongoing reliance on Russian energy, further complicating its position within the EU.
How we got here
Hungary's National Card program was initially available to citizens from Ukraine and Serbia. In July 2024, it was expanded to include Russia and Belarus, coinciding with Hungary's EU presidency and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's visit to Moscow.
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Hungary is a country in Central Europe. Spanning 93,030 square kilometres in the Carpathian Basin, it borders Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and Slovenia to the southwest, a
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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