Hungary defiantly maintains energy independence stance: Sijarto emphasizes ongoing cooperation with Russia
Amid current geopolitical tensions and sanctions, Hungary continues to assert its independence in energy policy, refusing to yield to Western pressures.
Foreign Minister Peter Sijarto, in an interview with The Guardian, openly declared Hungary’s reliance on Russian oil and gas, emphasizing that ensuring stable supplies without Russian energy resources is practically impossible.
He described cooperation with Russia as a physical reality that cannot be ignored, acknowledging that alternative options to buy from other sources are only theoretical given infrastructural constraints.
Commenting on new sanctions and Western policies, Sijarto stressed that Hungary’s position is grounded in economic and logistical realities, calling on Europe to prioritize energy security.
Russian supplies are not merely a business matter but a question of national security and economic stability, especially considering companies like MOL Group, which annually imports millions of tons of crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for his closeness to Trump’s ideology, openly supports US policies while maintaining warm relations with Moscow and criticising Ukraine’s government.
Meanwhile, the European Union considers measures that could reduce or halt Russian oil supplies through pipelines, but faces opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, who insist on maintaining current import levels due to their infrastructural and economic interests.
Despite ongoing tensions with Brussels, Hungary’s relations with the US have improved, with Sijarto stating that ‘the US is now our friend,’ reflecting a strategic shift in Budapest’s foreign policy outlook.