Russia wants to abandon Hungary’s Paks II nuclear plant?

Hungary’s political landscape has shifted dramatically following the historical victory of Péter Magyar and the Tisza Party, but not everybody was happy about it, as it seems like Russia could turn its back on the Paks II nuclear expansion.

Russia could leave Hungary’s nuclear project as it is

While the incoming prime minister has signalled that nuclear energy remains important for Hungary’s energy mix, he has also raised concerns about the project’s cost and contractual framework, promising a comprehensive review before any final decision.

This cautious stance has led to diverging interpretations at home and abroad. Russian officials, including Alexey Likhachev, have emphasised continued cooperation and expressed confidence in a “pragmatic partnership”.

Meanwhile, critics within Hungary argue that the project has become financially and technically problematic, pointing to delays and alleged underperformance by the Russian contractor, writes Telex.

Political and legal complexities ahead

The fate of Paks II will ultimately be decided at the highest political level, with key roles expected for figures such as István Kapitány and Anita Orbán in shaping energy and foreign policy. However, the decision is far from straightforward.

Continuing the project would require navigating strained EU–Russia relations, regulatory hurdles, and growing public scepticism of Russian partnerships. On the other hand, cancelling it could trigger lengthy legal disputes and force Hungary to quickly identify alternative energy solutions, which is no easy task in an already overstretched global nuclear sector.

Europe’s changing stance on nuclear power

Despite political tensions, nuclear energy has regained some popularity in Europe, driven by energy security concerns and decarbonisation goals. While not universally embraced, even traditionally sceptical voices now acknowledge its role in reducing emissions.

Paks II remains one of the European Union’s most advanced nuclear projects on paper, alongside developments in France and Slovakia. Yet progress has been slow, and uncertainty persists over future EU support, particularly regarding state aid approvals.

Péter Magyar speaks up about protected fuel prices: will the Tisza government keep them?

Conflicting narratives and uncertain outlook

Adding to the complexity, a recent article by Russian state agency RIA Novosti suggested that Rosatom could be close to withdrawing from Hungary, despite simultaneously stressing its willingness to cooperate. The piece also defended the original agreement, portraying it as economically favourable and politically justified.

At home, opinions remain deeply divided. Some see Paks II as a necessary long-term investment in energy independence, while others view it as an outdated and costly legacy project tied to past political decisions.

Hungary’s new government has to choose: push forward with a controversial but strategically significant project, or step away and face the financial, legal and economical consequences. Either path seems to be challenging.

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