Hungary's Energy Strategy and International Relations
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently met with Pope Leo at the Vatican. During this meeting, Orban commented on a "war-opposing network" with "two focal points: one of power led by the US president and one of spirit found here with the Holy Father," stating that Hungary draws strength and motivation from both. Orban is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington.
The US has initiated efforts to pressure Hungary and Slovakia to reduce their reliance on Russian oil, which forms part of broader US attempts to influence Russia regarding its conflict in Ukraine. When asked if US sanctions on major Russian oil companies went too far, Orban responded, "from a Hungarian point of view, yes."
Hungary's government, under Orban, has utilized the country's dependence on Russian oil and gas in its domestic and international policy. This includes criticizing Brussels, maintaining relations with Moscow, and campaigning for re-election with promises of "cheap Russian energy." Orban is currently behind in opinion polls following the emergence of Tisza party leader Peter Magyar. The Druzhba pipeline, which supplies oil to Hungary, experienced brief disruptions this summer due to Ukrainian drone attacks.
Planned Summit and Diplomatic Developments
Hungarian officials have suggested that the conflict in Ukraine could conclude by the end of the year. Reports emerged last month about a planned summit in Budapest involving US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, on October 21, the White House announced the cancellation of this summit. The Hungarian government had been involved in the planning for several months, with Orban's political director, Balazs Orban, noted for his close relations with US Vice-President JD Vance.
Orban is expected to seek an easing of US pressure on Hungary during his meeting with Trump, at least until the Hungarian elections. He has consistently opposed Western military and financial support for Ukraine and has ruled out Ukraine's membership in NATO and the EU. Orban has publicly characterized Trump as a "pro-peace president" in contrast to what he describes as "warmongers" within the EU. Despite the White House's announcement, Orban stated last week in Rome that the summit would still take place, a sentiment later echoed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Hungary's Oil Imports and Infrastructure
Oil supply remains a central point in US-Hungary relations. In 2024, Hungary increased its oil imports via the Druzhba pipeline from Russia. On October 23, the US announced sanctions targeting Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft.
Data indicates that Hungary's reliance on Russian oil transported through the Druzhba pipeline (via Belarus and Ukraine) increased from 64% in 2020 to 80% (5 million tonnes annually) by 2024. The Hungarian government asserts that land-based pipelines offer the most cost-effective method for oil delivery and that, as a landlocked nation, it possesses limited alternatives. Minor oil quantities are also imported from Kazakhstan, Croatia, Iraq, and Azerbaijan.
A technical factor is the higher sulfur content of Russian Urals crude compared to Brent crude. The primary Hungarian refinery at Szazhalombatta, operated by MOL, and Slovakia's Slovnaft refinery, also under MOL, are primarily configured to process Urals crude.
The Czech Republic's Transition
Orban, the longest-serving leader within the EU, has expressed a desire to reconfigure the bloc into a union of sovereign nations, a position that has garnered praise from Russian President Putin.
Hungary's argument regarding its inability to transition from Russian oil contrasts with the experience of the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic, a landlocked country with a comparable population, historically depended heavily on Russian crude for its annual demand of approximately eight million tonnes. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Czech government invested in upgrading the Transalpine pipeline, connecting it to the Italian port of Trieste. Concurrently, its refineries at Kralupy and Litvínov were adapted to process Brent crude. In April 2025, Czech authorities confirmed they had ceased receiving Russian oil.
Energy sector experts suggest that while MOL, Hungary's oil company, is engaged in technological adaptations, a political decision from the Hungarian government is necessary to facilitate a shift to the Adria pipeline, originating from the Croatian port of Omisalj. Existing disagreements between the Croatian company Janaf and MOL regarding pipeline capacity also remain.