BUDAPEST, Sept 26 — Hungary should prepare for a prolonged war in neighbouring Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told parliament today, sharply criticising European Union sanctions imposed on Russia which he said were driving up energy prices.

Orban said the EU sanctions have "backfired” and it was no surprise that governments were falling in Europe, referring to the Italian election on Sunday where Giorgia Meloni looks set to become Italy’s first woman prime minister at the head of its most right-wing government since World War Two. — Reuters