Kyiv said its plans were in response to unilateral bans announced by the three states after an EU ban expired. The trio argue they are protecting their local markets, while Ukraine says the ban is "legally wrong."

The European Commission will withhold funds from Poland and Hungary as punishment for breaches cited in its annual rule of law report this week.

Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban told state television last week they would not implement it. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed confidence in the plan, saying it presents member countries with several options.

Hungary is scheduled to assume the rotating presidency of the European Union in 2024. However, members of the European Parliament are expressing skepticism about its worthiness for the post.

The 86-year-old pontiff capped his trip to Hungary with a final Mass in Budapest on a sunny spring morning, with thousands having gathered for the blessing. He told people to fight the "closed doors" of nationalism.

Hungary wants to become a key producer of electric vehicle batteries. Government spending has attracted investments, including a new Chinese gigafactory.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said cutting off relations with Russia would not be in the country's national interest. Hungary is heavily reliant on Russia for its energy needs.

The top human rights court in Europe has found Hungary guilty of violating the rights of a refugee who died in 2016. Hungary has one of the worst records on refugee protections in Europe.

The EU has pledged to free a part of the funds earmarked for Hungary in exchange for Budapest allowing joint funding for Ukraine. Hungary has also announced it would start debating Finland's and Sweden's NATO membership.

For years, Brussels has been at loggerheads with the Hungarian government over a host of issues – migrants, the rights of minorities, media freedoms, the independence of the justice system and, most recently, over Russia and Ukraine. Long-standing tensions are coming to a head as Hungary delays a proposed EU aid package to Ukraine, while the EU holds up billions of euros in funding to Hungary over rule-of-law concerns.

After months of buildup, the European Commission has backed withholding billions of EU funds from Hungary. Despite recent reforms, Budapest must do more to address risks to core democratic standards, EU officials say.

Hungary's parliament approved two anti-corruption reforms to unlock funding from the European Union. The EU has long-expressed rule of law and graft concerns about the illiberal government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.