US Urges Hungary and Slovakia to Fully Divest from Russian Gas and Oil Amid Geopolitical Efforts Against Russian Aggression
Amid Russia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine and efforts to intensify pressure on Moscow, the United States is actively calling on Hungary and Slovakia to cease all imports of Russian gas and oil.
This demand has become a focal point during diplomatic talks held in Brussels, where U.S.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright discussed increasing the import of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) and reducing Russia’s revenue from energy sales that fund the war efforts against Ukraine.
Furthermore, during a press conference following his meeting with European Parliament head Roberta Metsola, the U.S.
official was questioned about whether countries opposing a swift rejection of Russian energy, such as Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, should cut ties with Moscow altogether.
Secretary Wright emphasized that Washington’s primary goal is to completely eliminate Russian gas from the European energy market.
He remarked that this is a vital part of Washington’s efforts to bring an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The more quickly European nations can reduce their dependence on Russian energy resources, the faster they can weaken Moscow’s financial support for its aggression.
This strategy aims to deprive Russia of the funds needed to sustain its military operations in Ukraine and to contribute to regional stability.
Previously, Hungary dismissed accusations that former U.S.
President Donald Trump had called on Budapest to halt Russian oil imports.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó stated that such claims are false and that no such instructions had been given, indicating no collusion or foreign pressure influenced Hungary’s energy policies.