In a move that underscores persistent divisions within the European Union over energy policy, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to continue importing Russian oil and gas, despite ongoing EU efforts to curb the bloc’s reliance on Moscow.
Speaking at a press conference in Budapest, Szijjártó emphasized that energy security remains a top national priority, and that current infrastructure and long-standing agreements with Russia make the continued flow of oil and gas essential for Hungary’s economy and citizens.
“We will not allow Hungarian families and companies to pay the price for geopolitical conflicts,” Szijjártó stated. “Energy is not an ideological issue; it is a matter of national interest.”
The announcement comes amid growing tension within the EU, as Brussels intensifies its push to isolate Russia economically in response to its ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Since the conflict escalated in 2022, the EU has introduced multiple sanctions targeting Russian energy exports.
However, several member states — particularly those with landlocked geography and heavy dependence on Russian pipelines — have sought exemptions or have quietly continued imports.
Hungary, a member of both the EU and NATO, has been one of the most vocal critics of Brussels’ approach to energy sanctions. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government argues that the EU’s strategy disproportionately harms Central and Eastern European nations while failing to stop the war or significantly weaken Russia’s energy revenues.
Despite the European Commission’s efforts to diversify energy sources and increase imports from alternative suppliers such as Norway, Azerbaijan, and the U.S., analysts say full independence from Russian fossil fuels remains a medium- to long-term goal for many nations.
According to data from Hungary’s national energy company MVM, over 80% of the country’s gas and nearly two-thirds of its crude oil still come from Russia, mostly via the Druzhba pipeline and long-term contracts with Gazprom and Rosneft.
Critics of Hungary’s stance argue that continued purchases of Russian energy undermine EU unity and indirectly fund Moscow’s war efforts. However, the Orbán administration maintains that the EU should not jeopardize energy affordability and economic stability in pursuit of political goals.
As winter approaches and energy demand rise, the divide within the EU over energy security versus geopolitical solidarity is likely to deepen — with Hungary standing firm in its pragmatic, if controversial, position.
