In an interview with TASS, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó discussed assurances from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that oil and gas deliveries to Hungary would continue under existing contractual terms. The minister emphasized that the reliability of energy supplies remains a central concern for Hungary, with Lavrov’s statements providing a measure of certainty in a landscape where energy security directly impacts the nation’s daily functioning and long‑term planning. Szijjártó cited official assurances as a key factor for Hungary as it navigates its energy strategy in relation to Kyiv’s and Moscow’s evolving positions, and he framed this as a critical signal of continuity amid broader geopolitical tensions.
Looking back at 2023, Hungary received about 3.3 million tons of oil and roughly 1.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia. The Hungarian government has repeatedly underscored the importance of maintaining stable access to these energy resources, describing them as a cornerstone of the country’s economic stability and household security. According to Szijjártó, the confirmation from Russia’s side not only reassures Hungary about current deliveries but also supports confidence in the continuity of energy supplies under the contractual framework, which is essential for budgeting and planning at both the state and enterprise levels. This assurance is treated in Budapest as a signal that energy resources can be counted on in the near term, even as the country continues to evaluate its broader diversification options within Europe.
On September 6, Szijjártó highlighted Hungary’s dependency on Russian oil and gas, noting the absence of a ready-made alternative at that moment. He stressed that Russian natural gas has been a lifeline for Hungary, enabling the proper functioning of industry, power generation, and household energy needs. The minister warned that a sudden withdrawal from Russia could create uncertainty about future supply scenarios and economic continuity. He also pointed to the broader energy project around the Paks nuclear power plant, noting that any decision to withdraw from or delay the expansion agreement with Russia would complicate efforts to maintain cost controls and project timelines. In addition, Szijjártó described ongoing attempts to diversify fuel sources and transit routes, while acknowledging the practical constraints posed by regional pipeline capacity limitations. He recalled that similar constraints have affected oil supply via the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil through Ukrainian territory and currently meets a substantial share of Hungary’s oil needs.
Previously, the European Union faced challenges in delivering gas assistance to several Southeast European neighbors, a factor that underscored the broader regional energy security environment. The situation in Hungary illustrates how national energy policy remains tightly linked to external supply arrangements, regional infrastructure, and alliance dynamics within Europe. The Hungarian government has consistently pursued diversification strategies, improved storage and transit options, and closer energy cooperation with neighboring states to mitigate exposure to any single supplier while balancing short‑term reliability with longer‑term transition goals. In this context, official discussions with Russia are portrayed in Budapest as part of a pragmatic approach to maintaining steady supplies while the country continues to pursue a more resilient and diversified energy framework for the future.
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