Hungarian Foreign Policy Chief Accuses EU States of Secret Russian Oil Purchases and Highlights India Link
The head of Hungary’s Foreign Ministry, Peter Szijjártó, has publicly criticized the country for openly buying Russian oil while charging that several EU members continue to bypass sanctions by secretly importing Russian energy through India. The remarks were reported via a video message cited by Reuters, which quoted the Hungarian minister as saying that a large portion of EU nations are buying Russian resources in a manner that remains hidden, arrogant, and hypocritical, just as before.
According to Szijjártó, India has boosted its imports from Russia by roughly seventyfold, and the European Union remains a major destination for Indian oil. He argued that the EU’s current stance is inconsistent with its rhetoric, describing Budapest’s oil purchases from Russia as transparent and straightforward in contrast to what he called the covert dealings of some other member states.
In his remarks, the minister suggested that the EU’s public criticism of Hungary was in part a mirror of its own actions. He asserted that the European Commission’s perceived inaction on Ukraine’s request to limit oil transit from Russia toward Hungary and Slovakia demonstrated the bloc’s interference in regional energy arrangements. The minister did not name any specific country as a violator but pointed to a broader pattern of bypassing sanctions within the union, a claim he framed as part of a wider strategic dispute over energy security and policy alignment.
What is clear from the statements is the ongoing friction between Budapest and Brussels over how sanctions are implemented and how energy trade flows influence national economies. The dialogue reflects a larger debate in Europe about reducing reliance on Russian oil while managing the commercial and political realities of interlinked markets. Hungary asserts that its oil imports are conducted under open terms and within regulatory frameworks, whereas Szijjártó contends that some EU partners engage in opaque practices that undermine the sanctions regime. This tension comes at a time when EU authorities are recalibrating their approach to energy sourcing, diversification, and price stability across member states.
Analysts note that the situation underscores the complexity of enforcing sanctions in a highly interconnected energy landscape. While Hungary emphasizes its transparency, critics argue that the broader EU policy must address inconsistencies that allow indirect Russian energy purchases to continue under various arrangements. The discussion also highlights the role of third countries, such as India, in shaping the energy corridors that connect producers with European buyers, often through long-standing trade relations and midstream logistics that complicate enforcement efforts.
Observers point out that the dispute touches on matters of sovereignty, national interest, and the practical realities of supplying energy to households and industries. The exchange reflects broader questions about how the EU balances punitive measures against Moscow with the need to ensure stable energy access for its citizens. While Hungary defends its approach as transparent and compliant with its own national security considerations, Brussels remains focused on a collective path forward that minimizes Russian exposure without disrupting the internal energy market and economic continuity. The current discourse signals that EU policymakers may seek clearer rules and verification mechanisms to ensure uniform application of sanctions while recognizing the diverse energy profiles of member states.
As the conversation continues, the core issue remains: how to reconcile strict sanctions with the practicalities of energy procurement in a union built on diverse energy sources, complex supply chains, and shared economic interests. The Hungarian commentary, reported by Reuters, is likely to fuel further debate about sanction enforcement, the role of third-country intermediaries, and the future direction of EU energy policy. The outcome will depend on a combination of regulatory actions, market dynamics, and the broader geopolitical environment that shapes energy flows across Europe and beyond.