Orbán’s ‘pro-peace’ government becomes largest EU financier of Russia’s war

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Putin and Orbán in Moscow. Photo: FB/Orbán

Since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war on 24 February 2022, Hungary has purchased gas and oil from Russia for a total of EUR 15.6 billion. According to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, an independent research institute in Finland, this makes the Orbán government the largest EU financier of Putin’s war.

According to 444.hu, while many EU countries have drastically reduced their dependence on Russian energy sources, Hungary has taken a different path. Italy reduced its Russian gas imports from 43% in 2020 to 5% in 2024. Austria announced it had found alternative routes, eliminating its dependence on Russian gas. Moreover, the Czech Republic and Poland had previously declared their independence from Russian gas.

In contrast, Hungary has increased its gas imports from Russia to unprecedented levels.

Financial impact

The result of Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian energy has been significant.

Over the past two years, Hungary has become the largest EU financier of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

In the previous year, Slovakia and France followed Hungary in paying the most to Russia for gas and oil, with France purchasing only liquefied natural gas (LNG).

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