U.S. intensifies push for Hungary to end Russian oil dependency
By patricklewis // 2025-10-29
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  • U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, emphasized that Hungary has not developed a plan to reduce its reliance on Russian energy and stated that the U.S. is prepared to assist Hungary in this transition.
  • Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned that abruptly halting Russian energy imports could lead to a 4 percent drop in Hungary's economic performance, describing such a move as catastrophic for the nation's economy.
  • Hungary continues to import a significant portion of its oil and gas from Russia, having signed a 15-year gas agreement in 2021 and plans to maintain high volumes of Russian oil imports via the Druzhba pipeline.
  • The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Russia's top oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, and linked future sanctions to Europe's and NATO members' reduction of Russian energy imports, with President Donald Trump emphasizing the importance of action from major buyers like Hungary.
  • Despite Hungary's efforts to diversify its energy sources, including a recent deal with France's Engie for liquefied natural gas, the country maintains a strong energy relationship with Russia and resists EU efforts to phase out Russian energy, emphasizing non-compliance with politically motivated restrictions.
The U.S. has escalated pressure on Hungary to sever its reliance on Russian oil and gas supplies, with a senior U.S. diplomat insisting Budapest must develop and implement a concrete plan—and that Washington stands ready to help. In a recent interview with Fox News, Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), said that Hungary, unlike many of its neighboring countries, "has not made any plans or made any active steps" to wean itself off Russian energy. Whitaker said the U.S. plans to coordinate closely not only with Hungarian authorities but also with regional partners like Croatia that can help Budapest transition away from reliance on Russian oil and gas. "So we're going to continue to work with them and we're going to work with their neighbors … that can help them wean themselves off," he told Fox News. The pressure on Hungary comes as the country increasingly stands at odds with its European Union and NATO partners over energy policy. Hungary's government, led by Viktor Orbán, still imports a substantial share of its oil and gas from Russia and has resisted earlier deadlines to end Russian pipeline oil and gas imports. A recent Reuters report notes Hungary signed a 15-year gas agreement with Russia in 2021 and plans to continue high volumes of Russian oil import via the Druzhba pipeline.

Hungary warns of economic hit as U.S. tightens sanctions

Meanwhile, Orbán has warned of dire economic consequences if Hungary ends its Russian energy imports abruptly. According to the Associated Press, he told state radio that cutting off Russian oil and gas would cause Hungary's economic performance to drop by around 4 percent and leave its economy "on its knees." The U.S. has intensified its leverage by sanctioning Russia's top oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, and by linking future sanctions to Europe's and NATO members' reduction of Russian energy imports. Whitaker noted that U.S. President Donald Trump "holds all the cards in his hands" in advancing measures to isolate Russian energy revenues—and stressed that until major buyers like Hungary take action, sanctions will be less effective. From Washington's standpoint, the message is clear: Assistance is available, but initiative must come from Budapest. Ambassador Whitaker reiterated that Hungary is expected to "develop and implement a plan that will eliminate dependence on Russian oil and gas." For Hungary, the path forward is fraught with political and economic calculations. While maintaining its sovereignty over energy policy, Hungary risks increasingly diverging from EU and NATO strategies to reduce Moscow's influence. The question now is whether Hungary will pivot toward the Western framework—with U.S. and regional help—or continue its current reliance on Russian energy, leaving it diplomatically isolated. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S. push for Hungary to end Russian oil dependency is a geopolitical maneuver to isolate Russia and maintain U.S. global influence, potentially straining Hungary's energy security and economic stability. Watch the video below about Trump calling talks with Putin "BS" and threatening more sanctions on Russia.
This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: OilPrice.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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