MOSCOW, October 15, 2025 — Hungary sharply criticized the European Union’s energy policy on Wednesday, defending its continued reliance on Russian oil and gas during the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow.
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto warned that Hungary’s economy would face severe consequences if it were forced to cut off Russian energy imports, reaffirming Budapest’s stance that national interests outweigh EU pressure.
“We have never been let down by Russia. Deliveries have always arrived, and contracts were always respected. Why should we cut this relationship?” Szijjarto asked during the conference.
His remarks highlighted Hungary’s deepening rift with Brussels, as most EU member states continue working to phase out Russian fossil fuels in response to Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Hungary Defies EU Push to End Russian Energy Imports
While attending the Moscow event, Szijjarto emphasized that Hungary would not yield to political or economic coercion from the European Commission or other NATO allies. The foreign minister’s visit to Russia came as NATO defence ministers met in Brussels to discuss additional military support for Ukraine—underscoring Hungary’s divergence from Western consensus.
Budapest has repeatedly opposed EU sanctions targeting Russian energy, arguing they would cause disproportionate harm to its domestic industries and households.
Szijjarto criticized the EU’s proposed ban on Russian gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by 2027, calling the plan “unrealistic and dangerous” for countries like Hungary that depend heavily on Moscow’s supplies.
Long-Term Russian Energy Deals Secure Hungary’s Supply
Hungary signed a 15-year natural gas deal with Gazprom in 2021, securing 4.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually. The country increased its intake to around 7.5 bcm in 2024, transported mainly through the TurkStream pipeline, which runs via the Black Sea and the Balkans.
The nation also receives most of its crude oil from Russia through the Druzhba (“Friendship”) pipeline, which connects Russia to Hungary and Slovakia via Belarus and Ukraine.
Hungarian energy group MOL also imports additional crude oil through Croatia’s JANAF pipeline, but Szijjarto dismissed the EU’s push to close one of the routes as “nonsensical.”
“Brussels wants us to cut one of the two pipelines under the pretext of diversification. How can having fewer supply routes be safer? This is insane,” he said.
Growing Pressure from the U.S. and EU
U.S. President Donald Trump recently called on Hungary to end Russian oil imports, as part of Washington’s effort to isolate Moscow economically. However, Prime Minister Viktor Orban reiterated that abandoning Russian energy would be “a disaster” for Hungary’s economy, potentially leading to higher energy prices and industrial disruption.
Budapest maintains that energy security should not be politicized, and that reliable, affordable supplies from Russia remain critical for the country’s stability and competitiveness.
Hungary’s Balancing Act Between East and West
The clash over energy policy underscores Hungary’s delicate geopolitical balancing act. While an EU and NATO member, Hungary continues to foster strong ties with Moscow and Beijing, often clashing with Brussels over issues ranging from sanctions to democratic standards.
Analysts say Hungary’s defiance could further strain its relationship with EU partners, but also reflects growing divisions within Europe about how to handle long-term energy transitions amid global instability.
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