US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has recently made Washington’s position clear: Hungary and Slovakia must end their reliance on Russian fossil fuels, particularly natural gas and nuclear energy.

How can Russia be undermined?

Wright emphasised that limiting Russia’s sources of revenue would increase the chances of bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, and Hungary’s cooperation is crucial in achieving this. The EU and the United States share the goal of eliminating Russian oil and gas from their energy supplies by 2028.

Yet Russian energy resources remain vital to Hungary and Slovakia’s energy systems. The Hungarian government, however, continues to insist on using Russian supplies, even in the wake of recent energy forums and rulings by the European Court of Justice.

But what about Paks?

Regarding the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant, the Hungarian government does not see the EU’s position as detrimental, despite clear indications that the bloc would prefer the procurement of nuclear technology from the United States or within the EU.

Wright also highlighted that by increasing energy exports, the US aims to provide alternatives for Europe, including oil, gas, and coal. He praised the Trump administration’s energy policy, which, by expanding hydrocarbon production, sought not only to boost the American economy but also to reduce dependence on Russian energy.

Not a fan of renewables

Wright argued that secure and affordable access to fossil fuels is vital for European and global stability. The American secretary voiced criticism against offshore wind farms, claiming they require large areas, pose environmental risks, and provide unreliable energy output. Instead, he advocated for nuclear, geothermal, and conventional hydrocarbon sources as the most reliable and stable forms of energy generation.

Not so easy for Hungary to find another supplier?

Hungary still depends heavily on Russian energy, especially oil and natural gas. Its decisions are driven largely by the physical availability of pipelines and supply routes. While aiming to gradually reduce its imports from Russia in line with EU objectives, Hungary has refused to back EU proposals, deepening the rift with Brussels over energy policy.

The global situation is in flux: Russia is curtailing and redirecting its energy exports towards Asia. Meanwhile, the EU and US are working to establish alternative energy sources: a task fraught with significant infrastructure challenges, especially in developing export routes for natural gas and coal to meet Asian demand.

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