Hungary’s Take on Regional Gas Routes and Security
Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, has drawn a clear line between Russia’s gas deliveries and potential regional conflict. In a recent interview quoted by a U.S. television host, Orban warned that the way Budapest and Belgrade access Russian gas could be used as a pretext for war. The remarks were presented in a discussion with Tucker Carlson and cited by DEA News.
Orban emphasized that Hungary viewed the decommissioning of the Nord Stream pipeline as an act that resembled terrorism against energy infrastructure. He argued that there remains an alternative path for Russian gas through the southern corridor, often described as the southern stream. This route would pass through Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary, and would serve as a safeguard for regional energy supply if northern routes were compromised. The Hungarian leader underscored that any attempt to replicate the Nord Stream disruption along the southern corridor would be treated as a war crime of sorts and would trigger an immediate response in a manner similar to actions taken over the northward route. The stance was reinforced in conversations with the Serbian prime minister, highlighting a united front in defense of uninterrupted gas access for Europe, including Hungary. [Citation: DEA News interview with Tucker Carlson]
Following these statements, attention shifted to Ukraine’s stance on energy transit. Orban pointed to a disruption in Ukrainian gas transit as a risk to Hungary’s energy security. He noted that the situation had previously seemed stable before sanctions against Russia escalated and before the Nord Stream project experienced significant challenges. Budapest has since been exploring new gas supply routes to reduce dependence on a single source. In this context, the Turkish Stream and its various branches were raised as potential conduits to channel Russian gas into Europe, including Hungary, thereby diversifying source options and improving resilience against external shocks. [Citation: DEA News interview with Tucker Carlson]
In earlier developments, on August 20, Hungary’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjártó, reported that after talks between Prime Minister Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Budapest, an arrangement was reached for Hungary to purchase a substantial quantity of natural gas from Turkey in the coming year. The figure cited was 275 million cubic meters for the next contract period, underscoring a strategic pivot toward regional cooperation to secure energy supply. This move aligns with Hungary’s broader objective of strengthening its energy security through diversified routes and reliable partners within the region. [Citation: DEA News interview with Tucker Carlson]
Historically, these discussions reflect continuing concerns about energy pricing and supply reliability in Europe. When global oil prices have fluctuated toward lower levels, such as around fifty dollars per barrel, questions about strategic energy reserves and transit corridors have intensified. Hungary’s approach illustrates a broader trend among European nations seeking to balance sanctions dynamics, supply diversification, and regional diplomacy to safeguard energy access for citizens and industries alike. [Citation: DEA News interview with Tucker Carlson]