Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, recently stated that a global network opposed to war is represented by both U.S. President Donald Trump and the Pope, expressing his belief that both leaders provide strength and motivation. This statement follows a meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican, and ahead of a contentious discussion with Trump regarding U.S. pressure on Hungary to reduce reliance on Russian oil amidst ongoing conflicts involving Ukraine.
Orban has publicly criticized some of the sanctions imposed by Trump on Russian oil companies, indicating that they may be excessive from Hungary’s perspective. Hungary’s dependence on Russian oil and gas has been a pivotal issue for Orban. He portrays this relationship as advantageous for his electoral prospects, emphasizing the provision of “cheap Russian energy” to constituents. However, with potential election challenges from opposition parties such as the Tisza party, Orban is navigating a complicated political environment.
In the backdrop of these discussions, senior Hungarian officials have speculated that the war in Ukraine could conclude by the end of the year, a notion that was complicated by the recent cancellation of a planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest. Orban’s government had reportedly worked on arranging this summit for months, seeking to leverage it for political gain.
As Hungary increases its oil imports through the Druzhba pipeline from Russia, it received approximately 80% of its oil from this source by 2024. This is in stark contrast to the Czech Republic, which successfully transitioned away from Russian oil by investing in alternative pipelines. While Orban’s government points to logistical constraints in shifting away from Russian supplies, experts suggest that political decisions are critical for implementation.
When Orban meets with Trump, the U.S. president is expected to encourage a transition away from Russian oil. Orban may find this difficult to communicate to domestic voters who have been led to believe that energy dependence is essential for Hungary’s stability. However, the U.S. has pledged support in helping Hungary develop alternative energy sources.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ypl16pp81o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss