The Hungarian government is in secret talks regarding disengagement from Russia
So far, Hungary has vetoed any EU restriction that concerns Russian gas. The government says the reason is that it does not want to support any measure that would limit Hungary’s energy supply. Now, however, the Hungarian government is in secret talks about disengagement from Moscow.
Sanctions
Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, the European Union has been considering sanctions against Russian natural gas. However, Hungary maintains its veto on energy sanctions against the country.
According to Telex, the thinking is that if all Russian connections are over, we have no solution.
Thus, the country wants to do everything it can to continue to buy oil and gas from Russia. But this stance is not sustainable in the long term.
Solutions to the natural gas question
So, what would be the solution to the energy question if Russia were taken out of the equation?
One possible solution would be LNG (liquefied natural gas). When it comes to natural gas, Hungary has still not let go of Russia as its main partner. However, there are quite a few potential alternatives to that:
- strengthening the Croatian LNG pipeline;
- purchasing and renovating LNG storage facilities;
- constructing a pipeline from northern Italy to Slovenia and Hungary;
- the “great northern connection”.
According to Telex, the Slovenian pipeline would provide access to LNG ports in northern Italy. At these terminals, liquefied natural gas is vaporised back into a gaseous state. Accessing them by a pipeline would help Hungarian supplies. The “great northern connection” means that
Hungary could be connected by pipeline to LNG terminals in the Baltic Sea that can receive non-Russian gas.
Long-term plans
For the time being, the Hungarian government is only looking at these options, but in the long term, it could also rely on Greek and Romanian sources.
Greece’s Alexandroupoli LNG terminal is accessible via Bulgaria. Also, it seems like Romanian gas production in the Black Sea is finally gaining momentum, although we still have a long way to go before the projected start in 2026-2027.
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Source: Telex, napi.hu
Hungary could also implement other measures. Just using the UK as an example, the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars is to be banned in 2030 and hybrids in 2035. The installation of gas boilers (cirko) in new build homes will be banned from 2025 and it is likely that replacement gas boilers (cirko) will be banned sometime early in the 2030’s for all homes. By announcing these bans early, it encourages people to switch before the due date. Naturally the electricity grid must be able to sustain the increase load that this will create.
Remember Peter Szijjártó receiving the Russian Order of Friendship from the now infamous Sergei Lavrov in December of last year?
As he said then: (he was) “proud of maintaining a cooperation based on mutual interests and trust with Moscow, despite daunting global and regional tendencies … Hungary’s success in fighting the European energy crisis and the coronavirus pandemic hinged on the decision to pursue a foreign policy rooted in national interests”
If it were up to Hungarian politicans … He remains an asset – for Russia!
FAKE News at it’s ZENITH.
The falseness being BROADCAST out of the Government of Hungary – that is propaganda DRIVEN – is ACCELERATING – in Hungary.
The situation as it WORSENS – economically in Hungary – and in relationships with the European Union, NATO, Great Britain and the United States of America and the Wider World, what is and what is to come – from the Government of Hungary, under Prime Minister – Victor Orban – will be Blood-Curdling – Horrifying.
Hungary – the “Wedged” position it has created – in it’s relationship with Russia – continues to ISOLATE and push Hungary – distanting it-self – DANGEROUSLY – from any form or INTENTION, to remain or belong, to the community of European countries.
It does no matter what the US and EU want to spout, Russia exists and will exists. There is great wealth of mineral oil and gas in the country. As well as being rich in minerals, Russia also produces tons of grains which helps reduce hunger in many countries. Russia has the ability to exist on its own, it could be totally self sufficient. There are 144 million Russians. Russia is the largest country in Europe as well as the largest country in the world.
Regardless of Biden’s wishes, the Russian/Ukrainian war will not have a winner. More and more Ukrainian cities will be destroyed and more and more Ukrainian citizens will be killed. The longer the war last, the more Russian soldiers will die. It is time for radical thinking and make peace. This chess game is no longer challenging or amusing.
@marievontheresa, you are always so pro, really pro Russian. Why do you live in Canada, in a free and democratic country if you are so enamoured with Russia? You are now retired so it’s not like you are in Canada for work reasons.