In a significant diplomatic engagement, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in Moscow on Wednesday to address critical energy supply issues. The high-stakes discussion centered on maintaining Hungary’s access to Russian fossil fuels despite ongoing regional conflicts and pipeline disruptions.
Minister Szijjártó arrived in Moscow specifically seeking guarantees from Russian authorities regarding continued oil and gas supplies. This urgency stems from recent interruptions in the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil through Ukrainian territory to Hungarian and Slovakian refineries. The Hungarian government has attributed these disruptions to political decisions by Kyiv, while Ukrainian officials counter that the pipeline damage resulted from Russian drone attacks.
President Putin provided reassurances during the meeting, stating: “We have always fulfilled all our obligations, and, of course, we intend and are ready to do so. I understand that this is of concern to you, particularly oil supplies. We see what’s happening in the global and European gas markets.”
In a notable humanitarian gesture, Putin announced the release of two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war who had been fighting with Ukrainian armed forces. The Russian leader revealed that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had requested their release during a telephone conversation the previous day. Szijjártó was authorized to transport the prisoners back to Budapest on his return flight.
The meeting occurs against a backdrop of heightened political tensions as Prime Minister Orbán faces challenging elections next month. Trailing in polls to a center-right opponent, Orbán has intensified an anti-Ukraine campaign, alleging that Kyiv and the European Union are attempting to bankrupt Hungary through forced financial assistance to Ukraine. Last week, Hungary blocked a new EU sanctions package against Russia and vowed to withhold a substantial €90 billion EU loan to Kyiv until oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline resume.