According to today's story from Politico, Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said, "Hungary must increase its efforts to end purchases of Russian energy resources that leave the country open to malign influence from the Kremlin."
To paraphrase what Simson said during the Sustainability Future Week meeting: "Even Hungary knows that by continuing this activity, it is giving Russia the right to manipulate its market," and "it is not in its interest to continue this dependence."
Last month, following negotiations between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, Russian gas export behemoth Gazprom stated it will increase natural gas supplies to Hungary this winter.
"I know a political leader in Europe who shakes hands with this war criminal, but that's it," Simson remarked in an indirect reference to the encounter.
Since Russia's full-scale campaign on Ukraine began, Budapest and Moscow have met twice and agreed on extra gas supplies, most recently during the conference in Beijing.
The energy commissioner made it plain that the European Union expects the country to diversify its nuclear fleet away from Russian technology.
Hungary's stance contrasts dramatically with attempts by the rest of the union, including close member nations like Slovakia and Bulgaria, to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027, Politico writes. Overall, the EU's reliance on Russian pipeline gas has decreased from more over 40% of gas imports prior to Moscow's invasion to less than 10% at present.
Simson also voiced his disappointment that Hungary is pressing ahead with the construction of the Paks II nuclear reactor despite the fact that it will need support and nuclear fuel from Russia to operate. Budapest has pledged to fight against any sanctions that target the nuclear power industry.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began a year ago, the EU has prepared its twelfth set of sanctions. Despite appeals from other EU members, the commissioner said, "the moment we reach unanimity together with Hungary, then we will have this collective position." The package is not expected to include significant limitations on the purchase of Russian liquefied natural gas. /BGNES
