Government-close media outraged by USA saying Orbán keeps Hungary in Russian gas dependence
Index, a Hungarian government-close media outlet, is outraged by the Embassy of the United States due to a video they advertise on Facebook. The video focuses on how PM Orbán and his government keep Hungary in Russian gas dependence. Meanwhile, our NATO and EU allies in the region could get rid of Russian gas after Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Index has a special place in the Hungarian media market. The Hungarian government does not visibly control the public media or the TV2 TV channel. But it never publishes articles significantly harming the Hungarian government. For example, they did not write about the presidential clemency scandal resulting in the resignation of the Hungarian president and Fidesz’s no. 1 European parliamentary elections candidate, Judit Varga, until PM Orbán’s announcement days after the outbreak of the scandal. We detailed that sad story in THIS article. And HERE is another article about Péter Magyar, the ex-husband of former Justice Minister Judit Varga, who may launch a new and influential political party for the 9 June elections.
Péter Magyar. Source: FB/Péter Magyar
Orbán cabinet keeps Hungary in Russian energy dependence?
Considering all that, it is not surprising that Index now criticised the US Embassy in Budapest because one of their videos slammed the Orbán cabinet.
“FM Szijjártó is in Russia for an energy conference – his seventh trip to Russia since Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine”, they wrote above the video dealing with Hungary’s dependence on Russian gas.
In the video, the US Embassy says the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria could reduce their dependence to almost 0 by 2023. That comes after Czechia imported 80% of its gas needs from Russia, while that rate was 57% in Poland and 77% in Bulgaria. In the European Union, 49% was the rate of Russian imported gas, but it fell to 14% in 2023.
US Ambassador David Pressman. Source: US Embassy Budapest
Based on the US Embassy’s video, the Orbán cabinet decided to keep up the country’s dependence on Russian energy. They showed multiple articles published in the Hungarian media about how expensive the Orbán cabinet buys Russian gas. We wrote about that in THIS article. In short, Hungary has already lost hundreds of millions of euros on the Russian gas business.
“Only Hungary’s political leadership decided to keep the country in Russian energy dependence”, the embassy’s video concludes.
Expert suggests the USA would like Hungary to buy American LNG
Index asked the energy and climate department head of the Századvég, a government-close think tank. Olivér Hortay said the European Union acknowledged that separating Hungary from the Russian gas has physical obstacles. Mr Hortay believes the US embassy slammed only that statement. However, because of its advertisement, it reached many people in Hungary. And that is why Index thought they should publish a reaction.
Hortay said it is the right of the Hungarian government to decide which country they purchase energy from. Nobody has the right to interfere in that, Hortay added. The Hungarian government continuously repeats that they want to protect their right to decide freely in different matters (gender, war, migration, etc.), highlighting that Hungary is a sovereign state.
Hortay said Poland signed contracts with American companies to substitute Russian gas. However, that business is more expensive and less environment-friendly. Czechia does the same, but they need German pipes to transmit the gas, so they even pay an extra transport fee.
Hortay said the US Embassy’s campaign serves political and business goals. They would like to convince the Hungarian government to buy American LNG. He added that American gas was more expensive than the Russian.
Hungary buys Russian gas. Photo: Creative Commons CC BY 4.0
Hungary tries to diversify its gas market
The expert highlighted that not only Hungary kept its Russian supporters, but also Austria. The head of the OMV, for example, said they had a long-term contract with Russia, and until the Russians deliver, they will use Moscow’s gas.
In the case of Bulgaria, experts believe their Russian gas transport to Türkiye is a trick, and this is how they also get Russian fuel.
Hortay added that the Hungarian government tried to reduce its dependence on Russia. That is why they signed contracts with Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Qatar. Furthermore, Hungary makes an effort to increase domestic production. We wrote about MOL’s oil extraction near Budapest Airport in THIS article.
MOL Campus skyscraper. Photo: facebook.com/molcampus
To conclude, the Századvég expert claims other European countries are using Russian gas, and the Hungarian government also tries to diversify its energy import. Therefore, the US Embassy’s video exerts pressure on the Hungarian government to buy American energy. On the other hand, Hungary lost hundreds of millions of euros in the Russian gas business because the market prices decreased after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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14 Comments
” The Truth is like a Lion; you don’t have to Defend it.
Let it loose; It will Defend itself”.
OMG! Don’t you dare criticise the woke Biden government’s lies. After all, they just sent you an ambassador who aligns with your family-friendly programs. 🤪
Victor Mihaly. Orban – his European Union, great Britain & Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Globally, is accepted or viewed as the INDIVIDUAL causing DRIVING the Distillation of DEMOCRACY in Hungary.
Hungary, the price – they ARE paying which will WORSEN, through continuation of mounting evidence of FACT, what Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz / Government, are focused on achieving in Hungary.
Hungarians must THINK understand the meaning of this quotation that is a pertinent MESSAGE to all Hungarians – for whatever FUTURE they wish to live or what life going forward in Hungary – the image of Hungary will represent.
The quote is :
“It’s easy to stand in a crowd, but it TAKES courage to STAND alone.”
CAN Hungarians embrace SOLIDARITY to make change, that ACCEPTS there greatest chance for a Freedom of there lives, encased in Liberty under DEMOCRACY – as opposed to living there lives AGAIN, under Communism, like they did post 1945 through to 1990 being 45 years ?
The clock is increasing it’s “ticking” ratio Hungary and YOU continuously are receiving being FEED – FACTS of your future, which looks and will be, as History never Lies – Bleak & Dismal.
Fidesz funds Putin’s criminal war against Ukraine with its’ insistence on purchasing Russian oil and gas at inflated prices. The Hungarian public is literally subsidizing the Russian military with every kilometer they drive their cars and with every cubic meter of gas they heat their homes with. This all contradicts the Fidesz claim to be pursuing peace.
The US based globalist elite is working for years behind the scenes to make Europe dependent on their expensive shale gas and oil Cheap Russian gas and oil, which benefits private people and businesses in Europe, is something what the US based elite doesn’t want. This year (2024) the contract of the Ukrainian pipeline will end. Something the pays Ukraine billions of dollars a year. The US already said this contract shouldn’t be extended. This will have severe consequences for example Austria, who is highly depended on this pipeline. Also, the US wants to shut down the Russian connection with the Turkish pipeline, which will affect Hungary.
The world was holding its breath awaiting and wondering Pressman’s next slander against Hungary. Now we know.
The Biden Administration and Pressman were annoyed that Hungarians, unlike German seniors, did not die because of lack of energy to heat homes and cook dinner.
We must never forget that the Biden Administration is persecuting the American oil and gas industry. Any day this administration may issue orders to cut production. The US does not even have the electrical grid to supply itself with electricity. Some American families are debating whether to buy food or fill up the tank with gas. The price of gas keeps going up. In California, a small gallon not an imperial gallon, gas went up to $8,00 in some places. Canadian gas price, an oil producing nation, the price of a liter of gas is over $2.00. PM Trudeau, when bored, adds tax upon tax on gasoline.
Hungary should stick to Russian energy supply. It is reliable and does not change at the whim of the administration. Hungary should just thank Russia for present and future energy supply to meet the needs of the people.
Any guesses about Pressman’s complaint next week. The energy supply complaint fell by the wayside, was not up to CIA standards.
One thing we should always acknowledge, that the average American people are the nicest and most helpful. If people get in trouble, it will be the American people that will come to your help. This is apparent when travelling through France and Italy. Robbing tourist is a sport. It will be the American tourist that will buy your next meal.
It is a puzzle that people elected the democrats, the American peoples’ biggest mistake. Hopefully, people will not repeat this mistake on November 5th and make Pressman disappear from Hungary.
Maria, if you are so happy with the Russian democracy, why you just don’t go to leave there? Hungary should leave the EU if Hungarians are not happy. The EU will work much better without the blackmailing of Fidesz
Jose Hernandez is 100% right. The problem with the promoters of Russia and detractors of the West is that they inevitably run up against the hard wall of logic. Everyone wants to immigrate to the US and the West in general and no one in their right mind wants to live in Russia or China. There was an interesting film made about 30 years ago about a group of delusional Americans in the 1930s who thought Stalin was creating a socialist workers’ paradise in Russia and boarded a ship to Russia to join them. As soon as they arrive they are arrested and sent to labour camps.
Hernandez, you are an idiot. You cannot tell the difference between trade and politics. The US buys uranium from Russia. Belgium bought diamonds from Russia instead of Canada.
The death rate of German seniors risen sharply when Germany started controlling the temperature in homes due to energy shortage. Why would you wish the death of Hungarian seniors.
I have many times voiced my opinion on communism. Communism is another name for dictatorship and oppression. It is not acceptable. I have also stated many times that I live in North America and always have supported the conservative capitalist system. So, try to find different angle for criticism.
Join out club and try to figure out what Pressman will criticize next week. Pressman is a joke.
Maria, you should get a a prize for such enlightened comments, really. But good luck to Hungary with their reliable partner. History of Russia and Hungary has been always a love one as far as you can tell.
PANIC Strickened response commentaries from “The Von”.
Do not be OFFENDED – Jose Hernandez.
“The Von” – a history, known for “firing” it’s long range weaponry – from it’s “adopted” country of residency, always coloured RED, back into Hungary, in act(s) to DEFEND the land of it’s Birth.
Through the PANIC in it’s response tones, residing “off shore” in North America, our line feed indicates, it’s far removed by the real picture, of day to day destruction occurring within Hungarian Society.
NEVER, never never – has answered “The Von” in it’s BELIEF, that it’s place of birth Hungary, ways in which it PONTIFICATES in it’s commentaries, a paid up, full overseas member of the Fidesz Political Party, walls in it’s house adorned, with photographs and “other” of it’s Political “Demigod” – Victor Mihaly. Orban – it’s NEVER answered if, as it “preaches” if Hungary leaves the European Union, Schengen & the United Nations – continues to “dissolve” the process of Distillation of DEMOCRACY – deepening itself into a Dictatorship regime, in partnership, with Russia & China – the way or functionalities, the processes, that would enable HUNGARY rated 26th of 27 – in over-all Life Qualities in the Country’s that comprise make-up the European Union – to be ABLE to STAND Alone that being Economically & Financially that OFFERS it’s citizens any form of a FUTURE ???
The Colour Red though DENIED – that FACT is “Veiled” much in line with the Political Party – it SUPPORTS, that Truth & Fact is “veiled” by propaganda and LIES, it’s “Rabid” is for ALL things Red.
Mahatma Gandhi did say :
“It’s easy to stand in the crowd but it takes courage to stand alone.”
Home land artillery response fire instead of Long Range I invite it, to become – then maybe, just maybe it will see the cataclysmic capitulation of the country of it’s birth Hungary.
Dear Idiots, history has proven that neutral countries prospered. Switzerland, a neutral country’s bank served Germany and prospered. This country also allowed (covertly) the allies to mount operations. The result, there was no war in Switzerland since 1848. The country was not occupied by foreigners. The country’s infrastructure was not destroyed. Most importantly, the citizens were not sacrificed and killed.
Yes, Switzerland continues to trade with Russia. Despite adopting EU sanctions against Russia due to the war in Ukraine, the volume of trade between Switzerland and Russia has actually increased since the start of the conflict. Exports from Switzerland to Russia are dominated by pharmaceutical products, while imports are largely comprised of gold, which is subject to specific Swiss sanctions123.
The above information obtained from AI Microsoft.
Why are people only attacking Hungary? Why is the US attacking Hungary. The answer is simple, they cannot stand that a country with limited resources have not ceded sovereignty to globalists Americans and Western Europeans.
Hungary should be able to declare neutrality and foreign countries should respect the people’s decision.
Final note on US as an ally. The Biden administration betrayed Israel for future votes. All the administration cares about are protecting hamas, hamas supporting population and feeding them so they can murder more Israelis in the future. Hell with the hostages or even the murdered Americans on October 7th.