Hungary ensures Russian gas imports despite Ukraine halt
Even if Ukraine halts Russian gas supplies, we will continue to import it through the southern corridor with the assistance of Romania and Bulgaria, said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at a press conference on Saturday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that he would not permit the transit of Russian gas, as the agreement on this matter expires at the end of the year. He added that Kyiv might reconsider if Russia only receives payment once the war concludes.
Orban stated on Saturday that even if Ukraine stops the supplies, Hungary will still import Russian gas with the help of Bulgaria and Romania.
He explained that the Bulgarian government guaranteed the supply of the resource to Hungary when Sofia planned to introduce additional transit fees through its territory last year. Budapest then threatened to block Bulgaria's entry to the Schengen area.
- Bulgaria is crucial for Hungary, especially since the war in Ukraine began, as it provides the only reliable way to supply essential energy resources to Hungary, Orban said during an official visit to Sofia on Friday.
In December, the EU Council decided on the full inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area starting next year. On Saturday, Orban presented this as a success of the Hungarian presidency, announcing that the number of border crossings with Romania would increase from 12 to 22.
The only such country in the EU
Hungary is the only European Union member that has not reduced its import of gas from Russia since the war in Ukraine began – it currently accounts for over 80% of its imported gas.
In September 2021, Orban's government signed a 15-year contract with Gazprom to supply 4.5 billion cubic metres of gas annually. In October, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that the country will import up to 6.7 billion cubic metres of Russian gas in 2024, also announcing the signing of a memorandum enabling an increase in the import of the resource.
