Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that severing energy connections with Moscow would devastate Hungary’s economy, stating it would “be on its knees” within minutes. During a recent phone call with US President Donald Trump, Orban emphasized that cutting Russian oil and gas supplies would immediately cripple the nation’s economic performance, citing a 4% drop in output.
Budapest has resisted pressure from Brussels and Washington to reduce reliance on Russian energy, arguing that geographic and infrastructural limitations, along with national security concerns, make such a shift impractical. Orban reiterated this stance during a Friday interview, asserting that Hungary’s “national interests” must take precedence over external demands.
Trump acknowledged Orban’s concerns during their conversation, calling him a “great guy” and “a great friend of mine.” The US president highlighted Hungary’s reliance on the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline, which has been targeted by Ukrainian attacks, disrupting supplies to Hungary and Slovakia. “They’re landlocked… they have one pipeline,” Trump said, defending Budapest’s position.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto further condemned EU efforts to address energy security, accusing Brussels of failing to protect member states after the Druzhba pipeline incidents. He criticized the bloc for offering “lectures” instead of support, calling it a “scandal.”