"Hungarian Member of the National Assembly Mate Kocsis criticised the European Union's (EU) plans to use frozen Russian assets, warning that the European economy will only worsen. "The last two to three years have been spent with European economies kneeling down and nicely putting their heads in the noose," he said while speaking on a podcast in Budapest on Thursday. "Now the European Parliament has tightened this noose, so heads will start to turn purple, meaning it won't be able to [...] maintain its previous standard of living and previous efficiency and success," he continued He said Europe's economic decline and what he called 'energy madness' had long been evident, adding that "the coming years do not promise much good for European citizens." On Thursday, European leaders began discussions on the European Commission's proposal to use frozen Russian assets to support a $140 billion reparations-style loan for Ukraine. Belgium, where many of the assets are held, along with Italy, Malta, and Bulgaria, has raised concerns over legality, investor confidence, and risk-sharing, urging alternatives. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday the plan was 'off the table,' while Russia has repeatedly described the proposal as 'illegal' and 'theft.'"