Kadri Simson, a member of the European Commission responsible for energy, pressed Hungary to curtail its purchases from Russia. In public remarks, Simson urged Budapest to speed up efforts to reduce reliance on Moscow as the country becomes more dependent on Russian supplies. The clear message was that ongoing purchases keep Russia in a position to influence European energy markets, a risk misaligned with Hungary’s long term interests.
Simson also shared concerns about Budapest’s ongoing project to expand the Paks II nuclear power plant with Russian support. The plan, she noted, would entrench a link with Russia in Hungary’s energy infrastructure and raise questions about energy security if political tensions escalate.
Peter Szijjártó, who previously served as Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations, indicated that Hungary would not back sanctions targeting Russian nuclear energy, regardless of the EU package of measures. His stance highlighted a broader debate within Hungary about balancing energy needs with geopolitical realities and European Union policy aims.
The Hungarian energy mix currently relies heavily on gas imports routed from Russia, passing through the Turkish Stream pipeline with branches through Bulgaria and Serbia. The Paks Nuclear Power Plant has become a central electricity source for the country, reportedly using Russian nuclear fuel. Two new nuclear units designed by Rosatom are under construction at the Paks facility, signaling a deepening cooperation with Russia in Hungary’s energy sector.
In a related context, earlier statements from European leaders referenced commitments to major energy projects that affect cross border energy flows. The Nord Stream initiative had been a focal point in debates about European energy supply and diversification strategies, a topic that continues to influence policy discussions across member states and neighboring regions. Source attribution: European Commission energy policy brief.