Hungary Reaffirms Russian Energy Partnership
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has strongly defended his country’s ongoing energy relationship with Russia during the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow, according to reports from Reuters. The minister stated that Hungary would suffer significantly if cut off from Russian energy supplies and emphasized that Budapest would not yield to external pressure regarding its energy decisions.
Strategic Differences with EU and NATO Allies
The conference attendance came as NATO defense ministers convened in Brussels to discuss military support for Ukraine, highlighting Hungary’s diverging position from most alliance members regarding relations with Russia. Sources indicate that Hungary has maintained its reliance on Russian energy since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, drawing criticism from several European Union and NATO partners.
Szijjarto told reporters that national interest remained paramount for Hungary in energy matters, stating according to the report: “We have never been let down by Russia. The deliveries have always arrived… Contracts were always respected. And my question is only why we should cut this relationship.”
Resistance to EU Diversification Plans
Hungary has reportedly pushed back against European Commission plans to phase out all Russian gas and liquefied natural gas imports by 2027, deepening the rift with Brussels over Moscow relations. Analysts suggest this resistance stems from Hungary’s substantial energy infrastructure investments with Russia.
The country signed a 15-year agreement in 2021 to purchase 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia and actually increased purchases from Gazprom last year, importing approximately 7.5 billion cubic meters via the Turkstream pipeline. Hungary also imports most of its crude oil from Russia through the Druzhba pipeline system.
Pipeline Security Concerns
Szijjarto specifically criticized EU diversification demands that would require Hungary to reduce its pipeline connections, the report states. “Brussels wants us to cut one of the two pipelines under the phenomenon of diversification,” he said during the Moscow conference. “How can you consider having one pipeline rather than two safer? This is insane.”
International Pressure and Economic Concerns
The Hungarian position comes amid increasing international pressure, including from former U.S. President Donald Trump who reportedly said last month he would urge Hungary to stop buying Russian oil. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained that abandoning Russian energy would be disastrous for Hungary’s economy, according to sources familiar with the government’s position.
The ongoing debate over Russia in the European energy sector continues to highlight the complex balance between geopolitical considerations and national economic interests across Europe. As this coverage is based on Reuters reporting standards, the situation remains fluid with multiple perspectives in play.
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