Szijjarto said at a press conference in Moscow that the aim is to ensure the security of Hungary’s energy supply “in the coming months”. It is impossible “in the current context” to do without Russian gas. “That’s a fact.” He added: “One can raise false hopes, one can dream, one can bluff, but facts and physical reality are stubborn.”
Lavrov confirmed Hungary’s “interest” in further natural gas. The request from Budapest will now be “checked”.
The Hungarian effort contrasts with the EU’s approach. Brussels accuses Russia of blackmail with its energy policy and only presented a strategic plan on Wednesday, according to which the lack of Russian gas imports should be compensated for primarily with savings.
In reaction to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the EU imposed drastic sanctions on Moscow. These include a far-reaching embargo on Russian oil. But there is no such measure for gas.
Since invading Ukraine, however, Russia has significantly reduced its gas supplies to Europe. This also triggered concerns in Germany about energy security in the coming winter.
Hungary is even more dependent on Russian energy imports. It gets 65 percent of its oil and 80 percent of its gas from Russia. Because of the impending bottlenecks, the government in Budapest declared a state of emergency last week.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban maintains an ambiguous stance on Russia. Although he condemned the attack on Ukraine, he regularly sharply criticizes the EU’s sanctions policy. He blocked the EU oil embargo for weeks and then negotiated an exception for his country.
Lavrov stressed the importance of bilateral relations between Hungary and Russia. “I really appreciate our relations,” said the Russian foreign minister. “Our talks today have confirmed their enduring and strategic nature. And we will build on them in every way we can.” Russia will not allow Brussels to interfere with this “and we will look for solutions to make our cooperation in all areas insensitive to such whims and attempts at punishment,” Lavrov added.
