Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Majority of Icelandic voters support resuming talks with EU, new poll says<\/p>\n Nearly six out of ten Icelandic voters support resuming accession talks with the European Union<\/a>, with around a third opposed, a new poll showed.<\/p>\n The Gallup poll, conducted in late February and early March, said that 57% were in favour of the talks restarting, with just over thirty percent opposed, and 12% undecided, RUV reported.<\/p>\n But worth remembering that this is just a vote on restarting the talks \u2013 the final deal would then be subject to another referendum before Iceland\u2019s potential accession to the bloc.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Final deal with EU would be put to another referendum, Icelandic prime minister says<\/p>\n Icelandic prime minister Kristr\u00fan Mj\u00f6ll Frostad\u00f3ttir told reporters that the referendum would only decide on the reopening of the accession talks with the EU, with the final deal then put for another vote, Icelandic broadcaster RUV noted.<\/p>\n She was quoted as saying that model offered a \u201cdouble safety valve,\u201d allowing people to vote in favour of talks to explore available options, without committing to the membership just yet.<\/p>\n The prime minister also said that Iceland is in a \u201ccompletely different position\u201d to when it originally submitted its application in 2009, and has a much stronger negotiating position, RUV said.<\/p>\n As guidance, foreign minister \u00deorger\u00f0ur Katr\u00edn Gunnarsd\u00f3ttir said should the referendum return a yes result, the talks could resume towards the end of the year, and would primarily focus on most difficult issues on natural resources.<\/p>\n The Icelandic leaders also expressed concerns about possible foreign interference, particularly from Russia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Iceland hopes to reopen accession talks terminated in 2015 – context<\/p>\n Back to Iceland, for a bit of context.<\/p>\n The motion proposes to hold a referendum to reopen the accession talks, which were opened during the great financial crisis in 2009 and terminated in 2015, when the government of the day concluded that \u201cIceland\u2019s interests are better served outside the European Union<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n When Iceland\u2019s accession negotiations were paused, 27 of the 33 chapters had been opened, and 11 had been concluded, AFP noted.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s announcement is not surprising as there had been growing suggestions that Iceland was working towards holding a referendum on the issue.<\/p>\n The Icelandic prime minister Kristr\u00fan Mj\u00f6ll Frostad\u00f3ttir saying last week in Warsaw that it was a matter of \u201cmonths\u201d before the vote would be held.<\/p>\n But looking at public opinion polls, the outcome of the entire process \u2013 not just the referendum on reopening the talks, but a potential follow-up vote on the accession – is far from certain.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.21 EST<\/p>\n European Commission criticises ‘not acceptable’ Zelenskyy’s apparent threat against Orb\u00e1n<\/p>\n Oh-oh.<\/p>\n The European Commission has until now tried to remain very diplomatic on managing the growing spat between Hungary and Ukraine.<\/p>\n But its deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill has just sharply criticised Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his yesterday\u2019s comment which appeared to be a form of threat against Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n (10:17<\/a>).<\/p>\n Gill said:<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very clear as the European Commission that that type of language is not acceptable, there must not be threats against EU member states.\u201d<\/p>\n He also said that \u201cthere is a lot of escalating rhetoric and inflammatory rhetoric,\u201d adding:<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe that such rhetoric from all sides is neither helpful nor conducive to achieving the common goals we all have here.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.58 EST<\/p>\n ‘Significant decisions lies ahead for Icelandic people,’ EU enlargement commission says on referendum date<\/p>\n EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos welcomed the news on the Icelandic referendum on EU accession talks, saying \u201ca significant decision lies ahead for the Icelandic people.\u201d<\/p>\n In the statement, published by Icelandic state broadcaster RUV, says:<\/p>\n \u201cA significant decision lies ahead for the Icelandic people.\u201d<\/p>\n The geopolitical context is fundamentally different today than when Iceland first applied for membership.<\/p>\n Iceland is already a strong and strategic partner. They are also part of our internal market.<\/p>\n Iceland\u2019s priorities are well known. In a world of competing spheres of influence, EU membership offers an anchor into a bloc grounded in values, prosperity and security.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNegotiations on EU membership are specific to each country and we take the candidate countries\u2019 realities into account.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>EU says ‘no comment’ on latest escalation between Hungary and Ukraine<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the European Commission said at its midday briefing declined to comment on the latest escalation between Hungary<\/a> and Ukraine at this stage.<\/p>\n Internal affairs spokesperson Markus Lammert said:<\/p>\n \u201cWe are aware of the media reports on this matter. We have no additional information on the reported events for now, and I therefore have no comments to offer at this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n The commission\u2019s deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill added that \u201cthere is far too much hypothethical stuff going on\u201d in questions and declined to \u201cgo into speculation.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Iceland proposes referendum on resuming EU accession talks in August<\/p>\n Icelandic foreign minister \u00deorger\u00f0ur Katr\u00edn Gunnarsd\u00f3ttir submitted a government motion for a referendum on resuming accession talks with the European Union<\/a>, proposing the vote should take place on 29 August, state broadcaster RUV has reported.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hungary’s actions ‘reminiscent of 1990s era Moscow,’ Ukrainian prime minister says<\/p>\n Ukraine\u2019s prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko accused Hungary<\/a> of \u201ctaking seven Ukrainians hostage in a method reminiscent of 1990\u2019s era Moscow\u201d in a further escalation of tensions between Kyiv and Budapest.<\/p>\n She said it \u201cwould be a bit surprising if it hadn\u2019t come just a few days after the Orban entourage\u2019s visit to the Kremlin.\u201d<\/p>\n Hungarian foreign minister P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 was in Moscow on Thursday, meeting with Russia\u2019s president Vladimir Putin to discuss the issue of energy security.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ukrainian government is demanding an immediate release of our citizens. We will take appropriate action to hold those responsible for their detention accountable. We also urge our partners to react strongly. Such arbitrary detentions demand clear international condemnation,\u201d Svyrydenko said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Bank of Ukraine sending team to Budapest over seven detained men<\/p>\n Meanwhile, National Bank of Ukraine<\/a> governor, Andriy Pyshnyy, said that his deputy and the bank\u2019s team were travelling to Budapest to \u201cclarify the circumstances\u201d of the detention of the seven Ukrainian men involved in the transit.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re appealing to international partners and regulators. We demand official explanations from Hungarian authorities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hungary to expel seven men detained with Ukraine’s cash, gold shipments, spokesperson says<\/p>\n The seven Ukrainian men detained by the Hungarian tax and customs authorities will be \u201cexpelled from Hungary<\/a>,\u201d the Hungarian government\u2019s international spokesman Zolt\u00e1n Kov\u00e1cs said.<\/p>\n He said that the authorities found that \u201cthe operation was supervised by a former general of the Ukrainian Security Service, with a former major of the Ukrainian Air Force acting as deputy and assisted by individuals with military experience.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBased on these findings, all seven individuals will be expelled from Hungary,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hungary’s opposition leader urges Zelenskyy to withdraw Orb\u00e1n comments<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the leader of the Hungarian opposition, P\u00e9ter Magyar, sided with Orb\u00e1n in his criticism of Zelenskyy\u2019s comments, which appeared to include a threat against him (10:17<\/a>).<\/p>\n Hungarian opposition leader P\u00e9ter Magyar, head of the TISZA (Respect and Freedom) party, delivers a speech at an election campaign rally. Photograph: NurPhoto\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Speaking at a rally of his Tisza party, currently leading in the polls ahead of next month\u2019s elections, he said<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ukrainian president has threatened prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n. Let me make it clear that no one, not a single Hungarian, can be threatened by a foreign head of state. Not the outgoing Orban government, nor the future Tisza government, not a single Hungarian.<\/p>\n So during my campaign tour, I call on the Ukrainian president to clarify his words, and, if he really said that, then to withdraw it.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Poland\u2019s foreign minister Rados\u0142aw Sikorski taunted Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n<\/a> on social media, responding to a separate media report alleging that Russian military intelligence GRU is expected to be involved in running a pro-government campaign ahead of next month\u2019s parliamentary election in Hungary.<\/p>\n \u201cTo get electoral support simultaneously from Maga and GRU is no mean feat. But is Viktor fighting for Hungarian sovereignty or volunteering to make it a condominium?,\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Ukraine advises against travel to Hungary after arrest of bank staff<\/p>\n On the back of the detention of seven Ukrainian citizens, Ukraine\u2019s foreign ministry said it advises Ukrainians against travel to Hungary<\/a> \u201cdue to the inability to guarantee their safety amid arbitrary actions by the Hungarian authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n Expect them to try to raise it with the EU in the coming hours.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.06 EST<\/p>\n Ukraine demands ‘immediate release’ of seven detained citizens, foreign minister says<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ukraine\u2019s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said that \u201cUkrainian consuls have still not been permitted access to the seven Ukrainian citizens taken hostage in Budapest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Hungarian side has not provided any explanation. We demand their immediate release and prepare next actions, including at the EU level,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hungary confirms detaining seven people as part of alleged money laundering probe<\/p>\n The Hungarian tax authority has just confirmed it detained seven people and two cash-in-transit vehicles coming from Austria towards Ukraine<\/a>, saying it is pursuing criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering.<\/p>\n The contents of their transit has also been confirmed as per earlier statement by Ukraine\u2019s state-owned Oschadbank.<\/p>\n But the authority pointedly said that one of the seven men arrested was a former general of the Ukrainian intelligence services, Hungarian media reported.<\/a><\/p>\n In a statement quoted by Index.hu, the authority claimed it had informed the Ukrainian consular authorities of the move, but received no response.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Morning opening: Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine grow ahead of key election Hungary will use \u201cevery means\u201d to force a favourable solution in an escalating row with neighbouring Ukraine over stalled Russian oil supplies to Budapest and Bratislava, prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n<\/a> this morning.<\/p>\n Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n attend the European Political Community Summit at the Pusk\u00e1s Arena, in Budapest, Hungary in 2024. Photograph: Bernadett Szab\u00f3\/Reuters<\/p>\n His comments come as the neighbouring countries are locked in dispute over the temporary closure of the Druzhba pipeline which pumps Russian oil to Hungary<\/a> and Slovakia, and which Kyiv says was damaged by Russian strikes in January.<\/p>\n In response, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n blocked the payment of a \u20ac90bn EU loan to Ukraine<\/a> and adoption of the latest round of sanctions against Russia last month.<\/p>\n But in recent weeks, the tensions grew further, with Orb\u00e1n regularly using disparaging references to Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/a> in his domestic campaign ahead of next month\u2019s high-stakes parliamentary election, which could see him out of power after 16 years.<\/p>\n Yesterday, Orb\u00e1n accused Ukraine\u2019s Volodymyr Zelenskyy of threatening him after the Ukrainian president told a government meeting in Kyiv:<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope that one person in the European Union will not block the \u20ac90bn and that Ukrainian fighters will receive weapons; otherwise, we will give this person\u2019s address to our guys so they can call him and speak to him in their language.\u201d<\/p>\n Orb\u00e1n said<\/a> on social media that Zelenskyy\u2019s words were \u201cnot about me \u2013 he is threatening Hungary.\u201d<\/p>\n Later in the evening, Ukraine\u2019s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha claimed<\/a> Hungary \u201ctook hostage\u201d seven employees of a state-owned Ukrainian bank Oschadbank who were transporting $40m, \u20ac35m and 9 kg of gold from Austria to Ukraine via Hungary.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reasons are still unknown, as well as their current wellbeing, or the possibility of contacting them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Oschadbank confirmed<\/a> that their vehicle\u2019s GPS indicated it was parked near a law enforcement agency in central Budapest. It demanded the immediate release of its employees and property.<\/p>\n But this morning Orb\u00e1n went further, telling state radio that Hungary would be prepared to stop all shipments for Ukraine going through its territory.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ukrainians will run out of money sooner than we run out of oil,\u201d he said<\/a>.<\/p>\n He was also publicly backed<\/a> by Slovak prime minister Robert Fico, who urged senior EU leaders to \u201cdistance themselves from these outrageous blackmailing statements\u201d by Zelenskyy.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s see what comes out of that.<\/p>\n I will also keep an eye on the latest on European evacuation flights from the Middle East and on Cyprus<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s Friday, 6 March 2026, it\u2019s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.<\/p>\n Good morning.<\/p>\n![\"Jakub](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jakub_Krupa.png\")
Jakub Krupa<\/p>\n