Slovakia's Fico backs Orbán in bold defiance over Russian energy restrictions
Photo: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Getty Images)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met at the border between the two countries. On September 28, they once again made cynical statements regarding the purchase of Russian oil, reports Bloomberg.
"No one should tell us where to get our gas and oil. Because, according to international law, it is a sovereign country that decides on its own energy mix," Fico said.
He also backed Orbán's position, calling the EU's push to end Russian energy supplies a "political and ideological decision." Fico said the move would hit not only Slovakia and Hungary the hardest but also harm all of Europe.
Both leaders argued that abandoning deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline is economically and technically unfeasible. They said the lack of access to the sea limits their ability to reduce dependence on Russian energy.
Bloomberg noted that this stance puts them at odds with the EU and the US, which are considering tougher measures on remaining Russian crude oil exports.
Orbán pushes back against Trump
Recently, Donald Trump suggested during a briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he might urge Hungary to stop buying Russian oil.
A phone call between Orbán and Trump followed shortly after, in which the Hungarian Prime Minister told the president that Hungary had no intention of giving up cheap Russian energy.
Bloomberg reported that Budapest is not ready to comply with US demands.
