European Commission leader to join 1956 uprising commemoration in Budapest

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa were set to join a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Hungary's 1956 anti-Soviet uprising in Budapest on October 23, 2026. Euronews reported that von der Leyen was scheduled to deliver a speech in parliament alongside Prime Minister Péter Magyar. [1]

The joint appearance signals a new phase in relations between the European Union and Hungary, according to Euronews. European officials are also attempting to navigate diplomatic efforts regarding the war in Ukraine amid concerns over United States foreign policy strategy. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, diplomatic activity regarding Ukraine included an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to resume peace talks mediated by the United States. US Vice President JD Vance stated that a technical meeting was scheduled between Moscow and Kyiv, but warned that a final peace deal remains far off. [4]

FTMQ News previously reported that Russian missile strikes hit Kyiv in October 2026 and injured six people shortly after Moscow expressed willingness to return to negotiations. US envoy Steve Witkoff had met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg before the agreement for a technical meeting was reached. [5]