Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Anita Orbán, has shared the deadline for phasing out Russian natural gas. The statement comes as Budapest explores alternative energy supplies and seeks to strengthen its role as a regional oil and gas hub.
FM Anita Orbán shared her views on Russian energy
In an interview with Telex, the foreign minister was asked whether Hungary could continue accessing Russian gas in the future. Citing the European Union’s timetable, she claimed “the EU has set a clear deadline for phasing out Russian natural gas, which is autumn 2027,” she said.
The minister also discussed efforts to diversify the country’s oil supply. Hungarian energy company MOL is working to prepare its refineries for the potential import of non-Russian crude through Croatia’s JANAF pipeline, which could provide an alternative route from the south.
The United States has granted Hungary a temporary exemption from certain sanctions affecting Russian oil imports, with a deadline of 21 November. Orbán said the exemption concerns oil purchased from Russian companies Lukoil and Rosneft, and that MOL is working on the necessary technological adjustments to enable sourcing from other suppliers.
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MOL’s potential acquisition of Serbian oil company
Another key issue concerns MOL’s potential purchase of Gazprom’s stake in Serbia’s NIS oil company, which owns the country’s only oil refinery. The US Office of Foreign Assets Control has granted an exemption allowing negotiations with Gazprom to continue until 11 December.
Foreign minister Anita Orbán she could not comment on ongoing business negotiations, but indicated that Serbian, Russian and Hungarian parties all appeared strongly committed to completing the transaction by the deadline. She added that the acquisition could strengthen Hungary’s position in regional energy infrastructure discussions, including those involving the JANAF pipeline.
Anita Orbán described Hungary as a potential major transit and distribution centre for both natural gas and crude oil. She pointed to the country’s extensive storage capacity, connections with six neighbouring countries and MOL’s influential regional position as factors that could support energy supplies to other states.
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Strategic interests stay unchanged
The foreign minister also addressed Hungary’s recent diplomatic engagement with the United States. During her visit to Washington, Orbán and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed two declarations of intent, one on energy cooperation and another on joint efforts against terrorism.
Anita Orbán described the visit as the result of a broader confidence-building process and said its swift organisation demonstrated that Washington regarded Hungary’s new government as a partner and ally. Asked whether the Tisza-led government was continuing certain policies pursued by its predecessor, she emphasised that some national priorities transcend changes in government.
“There are strategic interests that do not change with a change of government, such as the security of the country,” she said. The comments underline the challenges facing Hungary as it navigates EU energy policy, sanctions and regional supply arrangements while seeking to maintain energy security.
Read also: Anita Orbán and Marco Rubio sign two cooperation deals on energy infrastructure and law enforcement
She signed a declaration to fight national and international ultra left terrorisme not just “terrorism”. Rubio was very clear about this in his statement.