The Voice News: BUDAPEST, May 23 (Reuters) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has firmly opposed the European Union’s upcoming proposal to ban imports of Russian gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), stating that such a move would severely impact Hungary’s energy security. In a radio interview on Friday, Orban declared, “We must prevent this Ukrainian push to completely ban Russian gas from Europe by all means.”
The European Commission is expected to unveil legal measures next month aimed at phasing out Russian gas imports across the bloc by the end of 2027. This initiative is part of the EU’s broader strategy to reduce energy dependence on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
However, Hungary and its neighbor Slovakia — both heavily reliant on Russian energy — have strongly resisted the plan. Orban emphasized that unless the EU offers financial compensation for the transition costs, Budapest would not consider changing its stance. “There’s no point in having a pipeline if we’re not allowed to bring gas through it,” he added.
Strategic Dependence on Russian Energy
Hungary currently receives the bulk of its gas via the TurkStream pipeline, which runs under the Black Sea to Turkey and into Southeast Europe. Demand from Hungary and Slovakia has driven a 16% year-on-year increase in gas volumes through TurkStream’s European section in the first quarter of 2025, reaching approximately 4.5 billion cubic meters.
Despite sanctions imposed on most Russian oil imports since the Ukraine war, natural gas remains largely unsanctioned due to opposition from countries like Hungary and Slovakia, who maintain relatively close ties with Moscow.
Orban also criticized Ukraine for its decision to halt gas transit through its territory starting from the end of 2024. This dispute further complicates EU efforts to present a united front against Russian energy influence.
Legal and Political Implications
Although the EU Commission’s proposal only needs a qualified majority in the European Parliament to pass, and cannot be blocked by a single member state, the resistance from Hungary and Slovakia could create significant political friction during negotiations.
Orban’s comments underscore the widening divide within the EU over how to balance geopolitical goals with economic and energy realities, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe where Russian energy still plays a dominant role.
Background
The EU has progressively worked to diversify its energy sources since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While LNG imports from the U.S. and the Middle East have increased, several EU nations remain deeply embedded in long-term agreements with Russian suppliers.
Hungary’s government argues that sudden shifts in energy policy would be economically damaging without a robust, EU-funded transition framework. This position reflects not only strategic calculation but also Orban’s broader policy of maintaining pragmatic relations with both East and West.