Leaders of Slovakia and Hungary on March 1 threatened to block EU statements during a key summit next week unless the bloc calls for an immediate ceasefire and launches talks with Russia. European Council President Antonio Costa called a meeting of EU leaders on March 6 to discuss defense spending,

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called on the European Union to begin direct talks with Russia on ending the conflict in Ukraine, a move that highlights growing divisions within the bloc over its approach to the war.

The result of a meeting of leaders of a number of European countries in London is dangerous because they decided to continue the conflict in Ukraine and to push the country itself, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.