Hungary will continue to import Russian oil and gas, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who has rejected pressure from Washington and Brussels to completely cut off Moscow’s energy supplies. In an interview with The Guardian during the UN General Assembly in New York, Szijjarto argued that Hungary’s energy security is tied to its existing infrastructure, which includes several pipelines and refineries. He criticized Western officials for being ‘fanatics’ who are unable to engage in rational dialogue. This stance has sparked criticism from Western allies, who argue that Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian energy is at odds with broader European efforts to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027.
The situation has taken on additional significance as Washington has intensified its pressure on its European NATO allies to stop purchasing Russian energy, pushing for secondary sanctions on India and China as well. President Donald Trump, who spoke at the UNGA on Tuesday, mocked some of his NATO allies for ‘funding the war against themselves.’ Meanwhile, Hungary’s state-owned MOL Group has been one of the major importers of Russian crude oil, with around five million tonnes transported through the Druzhba pipeline, which also serves Slovakia. In recent weeks, the pipeline has come under direct threat as Ukrainian forces have struck pumping stations and other facilities, causing temporary disruptions to shipments.
Despite these risks, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained that maintaining Russian energy supply is vital to protecting households and industry. He has been a strong ally of Trump in Europe and has often criticized Western military support for Ukraine, even while most EU states have cut ties since 2022. The European Commission has set a goal of phasing out Russian fossil fuels by 2027, and has reportedly included twelve Chinese and three Indian entities in its 19th sanctions package, which must be unanimously approved before adoption. Meanwhile, the EU is also considering separate trade measures that could curtail oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, even without unanimous consent, which could allow other EU members to outvote Hungary and Slovakia.
Szijjarto’s comments have further intensified the friction within NATO, as the alliance grapples with conflicting priorities between energy security and geopolitical considerations. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the issue of Russian energy imports has become a focal point of international diplomacy, with tensions rising over how to balance economic interests with geopolitical strategy. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether Hungary’s position will shift or if other EU members will take steps to further isolate Moscow’s energy exports within the bloc.