Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations Peter Szijjártó indicated that Budapest and Belgrade plan to respond to Bulgaria’s tolls on the transit of Russian gas. He framed the move as a test of regional coordination and signaled that Budapest and Belgrade would coordinate their positions to avoid being caught off guard by Bulgaria’s decision. He described Bulgaria’s actions as hostile and stressed that Russia’s gas supply to Hungary remains outside the reach of Western sanctions, a point he framed as critical for national energy security in Central Europe.
The statement came as Hungary and Serbia prepare to align their policies in the face of evolving energy transit terms and regional diplomatic dynamics. Szijjártó suggested that the two neighbors would not simply accept Bulgaria’s measures in silence but would engage in a concerted approach that preserves their energy interests while maintaining diplomatic channels with Moscow and with their European partners. The aim, according to the minister, is to ensure that Hungary’s energy supplies remain stable and that any adjustments meet the strategic needs of both countries during a period of nuanced Western policy and shifting energy routes.
Separately, on October 17, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and spoke to the broader European concern about the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict. The discussions occurred on the margins of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, an event highlighted for its role in shaping Eurasian economic ties. Orban’s comments reflected a shared worry among several European leaders that the conflict’s progression could alter regional security and energy arrangements in unpredictable ways. The tone underscored Hungary’s interest in maintaining direct lines of dialogue with Moscow while balancing EU norms and the political realities of Central Europe.
Putin, for his part, conveyed a message of continuity in Moscow’s relationships with European partners, including Hungary. He noted that ties with many European countries had been developed and maintained, emphasizing that such relations exist beyond the immediate aim of creating satisfaction. He also pointed to a significant forecast for 2023: a projected decline of about 30 percent in bilateral trade turnover between Moscow and Budapest, a statistic that underscores the economic strain and the recalibration of energy and trade flows in the region. The context of these remarks in Beijing highlighted Russia’s broader strategy to engage with European economies through multilateral platforms while navigating Western sanctions and market shifts.
Earlier reporting indicated that Orban and Putin had tentative plans to visit China around the same period, suggesting a coordinated diplomatic rhythm among Hungary, Russia, and China within the wider framework of Belt and Road diplomacy. The conversations and public statements from Budapest and Moscow reflect a carefully staged effort to manage energy, political alignment, and economic ties in a time of geopolitical reconfiguration. Observers in Canada and the United States note that Hungary’s stance illustrates how Eastern Europe is navigating a complex mix of energy security concerns, EU policy expectations, and bilateral diplomacy with Russia, all set against the backdrop of broader alliances and the shifting contours of European energy transit routes. The situation remains dynamic, with energy transit fees, transit routes, and diplomatic messaging likely to influence policy decisions in the near term (source: RIA News).