Hungary and Slovakia Resist Pressure to Cut Russian Oil

(BUDAPEST, HUNGARY) – Hungary has confirmed it will continue purchasing Russian oil despite pressure from the United States and certain European nations to cut imports. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told The Guardian that the country’s energy infrastructure limits options for alternative supplies and dismissed Western European criticism as fanatical.

Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Szijjártó stated, “We cannot ensure a secure supply of energy carriers for our country without Russian sources of oil or gas.” He emphasised that the issue is primarily one of physical infrastructure, noting that while it might be appealing to consider purchasing oil and gas from other sources, Hungary lacks the pipelines and storage facilities to support such alternatives.

Szijjártó explained, “If you look at the physical infrastructure, it is obvious that without Russian supplies, it is impossible to ensure a safe supply to the country.”

The Hungarian minister’s comments come after former US President Donald Trump, described here as the Mar-a-Lago don, called on NATO members to stop buying Russian oil as a precondition for imposing further sanctions on Moscow. Some European leaders, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, have supported Trump’s demand, urging pressure on Hungary and Slovakia to comply.

Despite this, Budapest has maintained a firm position, with Szijjártó sharply criticising European officials. “It is absolutely impossible to have a rational dialogue based on facts and common sense… Western European officials are fanatics,” he said.

The Hungarian minister also noted that relations with the United States have improved, citing the Viktor Orbán government’s historical sympathy for Trump.

Hungarian oil company MOL currently imports around 5 million tonnes of oil annually through the Druzhba pipeline, a supply that also covers neighbouring Slovakia. These two countries are the most resistant to EU and US pressure, while other member states are considering restrictions on Russian oil imports even without Budapest’s consent.

The European Union continues to discuss trade restrictions on Russian energy, which remains a significant source for Hungary and Slovakia. Both countries have warned they will not comply until alternative energy supplies can reliably meet their needs.

Hungarian Oil Imports from Russia