Hungary Accuses EU of Hypocrisy Over Russian Oil Imports

Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has publicly criticized the European Union (EU) for what he describes as “hypocrisy” regarding the bloc’s approach to Russian oil imports. During a press conference in Budapest, Szijjarto highlighted that while many EU nations vocally condemn Hungary for its continued reliance on Russian crude, these same countries secretly purchase the oil through intermediaries.

The comments come in response to remarks made by former US President Donald Trump, who recently urged Western European countries to cease their Russian oil imports. Trump’s call followed a conversation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, where he expressed frustration over the slow progress in peace negotiations concerning Ukraine. He pointed out that the EU had generated approximately €1.1 billion ($1.3 billion) from fuel sales to Russia over the past year.

In his statements, Szijjarto emphasized Hungary’s geographical challenges as a landlocked nation. He noted that the country’s energy security is heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas, stating, “We buy Russian oil openly because we have no other option.” He warned against being misled by what he termed the “hypocrites” in the EU, who are critical of Hungary and Slovakia while simultaneously engaging in indirect purchases of Russian oil.

EU’s Energy Strategy Under Scrutiny

Szijjarto also pointed fingers at the EU for obstructing Hungary’s efforts to diversify its energy sources. He claimed that Brussels had rejected Hungary’s requests to expand pipeline capacity in Southeast Europe. Meanwhile, Croatia, Hungary’s southern neighbor, has reportedly increased transit fees rather than enhancing the capacity of alternative routes.

Many EU member states have halted direct imports of Russian crude as part of sanctions imposed in response to the conflict in Ukraine. This includes a 2023 embargo on seaborne oil and a price cap on Russian crude. The EU aims to phase out all Russian energy imports by 2028 under its RePowerEU plan. However, Hungary and Slovakia have voiced strong opposition to this strategy, arguing that cutting off Russian energy supplies could threaten EU security and lead to increased prices.

Despite facing criticism from Brussels for their ongoing purchases of Russian oil, reports have suggested that several EU countries continue to import fuel refined from Russian crude through third-party nations. This has raised questions about the consistency of the EU’s energy policies and the economic implications of its sanctions regime.

In light of these developments, observers are closely monitoring the EU’s energy strategy and its impact on member states like Hungary and Slovakia, which remain heavily dependent on Russian energy supplies. As the situation evolves, the balance between energy security and political pressure within the EU will continue to be a critical issue.