Hungarian foreign minister visits Moscow again, criticizes EU policy
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó (photo: Getty Images)
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Moscow that his country would allegedly suffer if it lost access to Russian energy resources, reports Reuters.
The Hungarian regime is once again going against the EU and NATO
He stated that Budapest has no intention of yielding to pressure when making decisions on energy supplies.
The statement came amid a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, where military aid to Ukraine was being discussed. Szijjártó's presence in Moscow at this time only underscored Budapest's differences with other Alliance members regarding Russia.
Orbán's group stubbornly clings to Russian gas
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Hungary has remained dependent on Russian energy resources despite criticism from EU and NATO countries. Szijjártó said that Budapest's national interests are more important than any political demands from Brussels.
"We have never been let down (by Russia - ed.). The deliveries have always arrived... Contracts were always respected. And my question is only why we should cut this relationship," Szijjártó said in Moscow.
Conflict with the European Union over Russian gas
Hungary is actively opposing the European Commission's plans to end imports of Russian natural gas and liquefied gas by the end of 2027. Such resistance further strains Budapest's relations with Brussels.
The country signed a 15-year contract with Russia in 2021 to supply 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually. Last year, Hungary increased its purchases to 7.5 billion cubic meters using the TurkStream pipeline.
Budapest defends Druzhba and criticizes the West
In addition to gas, Hungary imports most of its oil from Russia through the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Belarus and Ukraine. Additionally, oil is supplied to Hungarian refineries owned by the MOL Group by the Croatian operator JANAF.
"Brussels wants us to cut one of the two (pipelines - ed.) under the phenomenon of diversification," Szijjártó said indignantly. "How can you consider having one pipeline rather than two safer? This is insane," he added.
The United States increases pressure on Hungary
US President Donald Trump stated last month that he would urge Hungary to stop purchasing Russian oil. This is part of his strategy to pressure NATO allies to cut energy ties with Moscow amid the war against Ukraine.
Despite this, Budapest continues to openly pursue cooperation with the Kremlin, becoming a weak link within NATO and undermining Western unity.
Szijjártó has visited Moscow so frequently since Russia invaded Ukraine that it has raised suspicions among his fellow European diplomats.
