[Teeth53]

BRUSSELS - The European Union unleashed an unprecedented punishment on one of its own, signalling that patience has worn out with Hungary - and Prime Minister Viktor Orban's determination to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while eschewing the democratic values of the bloc, makes the move all the more resonant.

For more than a decade, the EU has unsuccessfully tried to keep Orban in the fold while mostly looking past his antagonistic approach to the bloc, including repeated efforts to hamper EU sanctions on Russia.

On Sunday,. EU changed tack, triggering for the first time a process that may withhold €7.5 bil (S$10.5 billion) earmarked for Hungary unless...

Europe is entering a critical phase with energy shortages set to increase the strains on the fragile unity that the 27 EU members have managed to maintain since the February invasion. 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/...ays-report