American expert fears ‘Europe’s new gas station’ Hungary from Russian influence

Despite the war in Ukraine, Hungary remains a key transit hub for Russian gas. According to the president of the US-Europe Alliance, the Hungarian economic and political advancements should be alarming for the EU and the US.

The Hungarian economy is heavily relying on Russian gas and oil, and the government was dully bargaining with the EU to get exemptions from the sanctions. But the Hungarian government is further strengthening its political relations with Russia, which should cause alarm in the Western bloc. As hvg.hu points out, according to Richard Kraemer, president of the US-Europe Alliance bipartisan organisation, Hungary is playing a dangerous game.

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Kraemer argues even if Russia loses the war in Ukraine, it will maintain its political influence through the energy sector in Europe. In no small part thanks to the Hungarian government.

In recent months, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signed strategic partnerships with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. There’s also a memorandum of understanding between Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary to develop the Vertical Corridor for gas.

“Enter Hungary, Europe’s new gas station. All roads lead to Budapest,” writes Kraemer in The National Interest. According to the law professor, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is “working overtime” to establish Hungary as Europe’s new key gas transit hub, while Europe tries to shift away from Russian energy.

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The weakest link

However, Kraemer thinks that the short-term political gains should not outweigh the danger that the close relationship brings to the EU.

“As Hungary’s prime minister, it’s his prerogative to bolster Hungary’s economy with transit revenue, low energy prices, and a diversified supplier portfolio. But while he works to increase gas supplies from southern Europe, Orbán is locking Hungary into a long-term, energy-based client relationship with Moscow,” writes Kraemer.

“All indicators suggest that Orbán intends to keep Russian energy sources on tap for decades to come – in exchange for seemingly selling the Kremlin a base for European mischief and a permanent veto in Brussels.”

“Viktor Orbán is Vladimir Putin’s man in Brussels and beyond, despite the threats to NATO. As he links up with fellow authoritarian-trending travelers along these gas routes, Orbán’s multiple acts of Russian allegiance should ring alarm bells in Western capitals.”

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Source: hvg.hu, The National Interest