Washington urges Budapest to cut dependence on Russian energy — Whitaker
Photo: US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker (Getty Images)
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated that Washington expects concrete steps from Hungary toward giving up Russian energy resources, according to Fox News.
The diplomat noted that the United States hopes for action not only from Budapest but also from countries such as Slovakia and Türkiye. These nations are expected to develop and implement plans to reduce their energy dependence on Moscow.
"You know, Hungary, unlike many of their neighbors, has not made any plans or made any active steps. So, we're gonna continue work with them, and we're gonna continue work with their neighbors like Croatia and other countries that can help them win themselves off," Whitaker emphasized.
He also added that the United States is ready to assist Hungary in the process of eliminating its dependence on Russian oil and gas.
Hungary and Russia
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that US President Donald Trump, during a briefing with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that he might call on Hungary to abandon Russian oil.
Shortly thereafter, Trump held a phone conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, during which the Hungarian leader told the US President that Hungary would not give up cheap Russian energy resources.
Recently, Orbán also stated that Hungary is working on ways to bypass US sanctions against Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft. This came after Trump imposed sanctions on key Russian oil companies in an effort to push Moscow toward agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Following the imposition of sanctions, Brent crude oil futures rose by 5%.
