{"id":1879785,"date":"2026-04-13T13:15:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1879785"},"modified":"2026-04-13T13:15:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:15:31","slug":"can-peter-magyar-break-hungarys-reliance-on-russian-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1879785","title":{"rendered":"Can P\u00e9ter Magyar break Hungary\u2019s reliance on Russian oil?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/97\/18\/1200x675_cmsv2_28560d35-17e9-5209-9784-93fdc653b12d-9719718.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2885843-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2885843\" data-cid=\"9720157\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885843-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/01\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_c48d9d6f-28b0-5140-9378-5bc161a7b71b-9720157.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rescuers clearing debris at the site of Israeli strike on the southern village of Qlaileh\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Lebanon: Red Cross teams inspect wreckage after Israeli airstrikes damage ambulances\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885857-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2885857\" data-cid=\"9720196\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885857-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/01\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_3ca0827e-41d8-5b9b-a758-a7e8aa129fa7-9720196.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE. A trader works in the Goldman Sachs booth on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, March 2012\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Business<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Goldman Sachs posts best quarterly profit in five years with 18% jump\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2881733-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2881733\" data-cid=\"9700748\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2881733-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/07\/67\/189x106_cmsv2_9d5b401a-93be-5277-a424-58a66f4a00f7-9700767.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The pioneering project integrating drones into air traffic control\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><span class=\"c-icon-gallery the-media-object__icon\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/images\/vector\/camera.svg\" width=\"21\" height=\"21\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Smart Regions<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The pioneering project integrating drones into air traffic control\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__quote\">In partnership with <strong>the European Commission<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885783-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2885783\" data-cid=\"9719904\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885783-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/99\/04\/189x106_cmsv2_9eeafa55-3e03-5b40-b897-d40db4d99a93-9719904.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen on Monday afternoon.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen aims at &#8216;swift&#8217; progress with Magyar after electoral win\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885843-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2885843\" data-cid=\"9720157\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885843-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/01\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_c48d9d6f-28b0-5140-9378-5bc161a7b71b-9720157.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rescuers clearing debris at the site of Israeli strike on the southern village of Qlaileh\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Lebanon: Red Cross teams inspect wreckage after Israeli airstrikes damage ambulances\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885857-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2885857\" data-cid=\"9720196\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885857-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/01\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_3ca0827e-41d8-5b9b-a758-a7e8aa129fa7-9720196.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE. A trader works in the Goldman Sachs booth on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, March 2012\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Business<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Goldman Sachs posts best quarterly profit in five years with 18% jump\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2881733-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2881733\" data-cid=\"9700748\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2881733-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/07\/67\/189x106_cmsv2_9d5b401a-93be-5277-a424-58a66f4a00f7-9700767.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The pioneering project integrating drones into air traffic control\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><span class=\"c-icon-gallery the-media-object__icon\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/images\/vector\/camera.svg\" width=\"21\" height=\"21\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Smart Regions<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The pioneering project integrating drones into air traffic control\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__quote\">In partnership with <strong>the European Commission<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885783-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2885783\" data-cid=\"9719904\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885783-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/99\/04\/189x106_cmsv2_9eeafa55-3e03-5b40-b897-d40db4d99a93-9719904.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen on Monday afternoon.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen aims at &#8216;swift&#8217; progress with Magyar after electoral win\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Can P\u00e9ter Magyar break Hungary\u2019s reliance on Russian oil?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/97\/18\/1536x864_cmsv2_28560d35-17e9-5209-9784-93fdc653b12d-9719718.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party, waves the Hungarian flag following the announcement of the partial results of the parliamentary election, in Budapest.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party, waves the Hungarian flag following the announcement of the partial results of the parliamentary election, in Budapest.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo \/ \tDenes Erdos<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo \/ \tDenes Erdos\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMarta Pacheco\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776086131\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-04-13 15:15:31 +02:00\">13\/04\/2026 &#8211; 15:15 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center 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decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        P\u00e9ter Magyar, the expected future Hungarian prime minister, won the general election in a landslide, unseating outgoing Viktor Orb\u00e1n after 16 years in power and raising questions about whether Budapest will move away from Russian energy.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Hungary&#8217;s incoming Prime Minister P\u00e9ter Magyar could shape not only domestic policy but also the future of Europe\u2019s energy ties with Russia, after winning the 12 April election and promising to eliminate his country\u2019s dependency on Russian energy imports by 2035.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Magyar has also pledged to align Hungary more closely with EU efforts to diversify oil and gassupply, a process the EU launched in 2022 following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>But even though shifting away from outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n&#8217;s reliance on Russian oil could accelerate the region\u2019s move away from Moscow, it will not come without economic and logistical challenges.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The geographical position of neither Russia nor Hungary will change. Our energy exposure will also be here for a while,&#8221; Magyar told local media a few days before the election. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Diversification needs to be strengthened, but this won&#8217;t happen overnight. If necessary, we will negotiate (with Russia), but we won&#8217;t become friends,&#8221; the Hungarian hailing from the Tisza Party added.<\/p>\n<p>Magyar said that he would reassess financing for the Paks II nuclear project, a major Hungarian expansion project which is being developed in cooperation with Russia, while also exploring the potential to accelerate the deployment of smaller, more affordable modular reactors in collaboration with partners such as France and the United States.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Magyar victory will bring more &#8216;European unity&#8217;, former European Council chief Michel says<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">From insider to rival: How Magyar became Orb\u00e1n&#8217;s most serious challenger in 16 years <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>For years, outgoing Orb\u00e1n has steered Hungary along a distinct path within the EU, maintaining strong energy links with Moscow even as much of the bloc has worked to cut dependence on Russian oil and gas following the war in Ukraine. <\/p>\n<p>Under Orb\u00e1n, Hungary\u2019s position had largely conflicted with the EU&#8217;s energy transition goal, raising questions about whether the new leadership would remain a weak link in the bloc\u2019s energy strategy.<\/p>\n<p>The country imported roughly 100,000 barrels of Russian crude per day in 2025, according to analysts at S&amp;P Global Energy CERA, accounting for around 90% of its supply.<\/p>\n<h2>Investment and infrastructure<\/h2>\n<p>The energy shift touted by Magyar, however, would not be immediate, as analysts say replacing Russian energy will require years of investment in new infrastructure and alternative sources. <\/p>\n<p>Dimitar Lilkov, a senior research officer at the think tank Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, pointed to an analysis that shows that Hungary has full access to alternative supply routes and refineries capable of processing non-Russian crude. <\/p>\n<p>The Croatian Adria pipeline, also known as Janaf, is one of these avenues, Lilkov said, even with potential lower transit costs.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Alternative options are also available for natural gas. Such a pivot cannot happen overnight, but is perfectly realistic given that there is political will in the years to come,&#8221; Lilkov told Euronews.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Hungary\u2019s energy giant threatens legal action over access to Croatian pipeline <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;P\u00e9ter Magyar has already signalled that this diversification would be pursued by the new government, so we can be hopeful that Hungary finally escapes the Russian energy chokehold,&#8221; Lilkov added.<\/p>\n<p>While Orb\u00e1n had argued that alternatives are more costly, the Croatian Economy Minister Ante \u0160u\u0161njar hailed the Adriatic pipeline as a &#8220;reliable and credible route for regional energy security&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our infrastructure is here to strengthen resilience, diversification and security across Central Europe. And our message to the Hungarian people is equally clear \u2013 Croatia extends a hand of friendship. We want cooperation, not confrontation. In a time of uncertainty, good neighbors build solutions together,&#8221; \u0160u\u0161njar wrote on X on 12 April.<\/p>\n<h2>Exemptions to Russian energy imports<\/h2>\n<p>Due to their landlocked positions and difficult access to alternative energy suppliers, Hungary and Slovakia secured exemptions that allow continued imports of Russian pipeline oil until September 2027.<\/p>\n<p>However, the EU is pushing to eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027, including phasing out these exemptions with a full ban on Russian natural gas scheduled for 30 September 2027. <\/p>\n<p>It remains to be seen whether Magyar will challenge this position, given Hungary\u2019s landlocked geography and its exposure to energy constraints exacerbated by the wider energy crisis triggered by the war in Iran, which has raised fears of supply shortages.<\/p>\n<p>A ban on Russian oil imports was also to be proposed by the Commission on 15 April, but the EU executive decided to postpone it, a decision linked to the global energy crisis and a political row over the Druzhba pipeline.<\/p>\n<h2>Druzhba pipeline<\/h2>\n<p>Hungary&#8217;s landlocked geography and Soviet-era infrastructure have left it reliant on pipelines such as Druzhba and TurkStream, ensuring a steady flow of crude and natural gas from the east. <\/p>\n<p>But damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which serves as a critical conduit for Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary via Ukraine&#8217;s territory, has been another contested political issue leading up to the 12 April elections. <\/p>\n<p>The Soviet-era pipeline has been damaged since 27 January, with Ukraine saying that a Russian airstrike damaged it. Russia denied it while Hungary and Slovakia complained about Ukraine&#8217;s unwillingness to repair the damaged pipeline, arguing they were suffering from &#8220;political blackmail&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>The Adria pipeline has effectively ensured &#8220;uninterrupted supply to both Hungary and Slovakia&#8221; over the past few weeks, Minister \u0160u\u0161njar said. However, with Druzhba flows halted, Hungary has pushed to import Russian oil by sea via Croatia, but it has yet to get approval from the pipeline operator.<\/p>\n<p>The Druzhba pipeline has become shrouded in uncertainty, with EU officials being extremely coy about sharing details of the EU mission sent to Ukraine to assess the situation.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission asked Ukraine to allow inspectors to oversee the damage to the pipeline, in line with a key demand from Hungary&#8217;s Orb\u00e1n, which has maintained a veto on a critical \u20ac90 billion loan to Ukraine until the pipeline resumes operations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Fact check: Does Hungary have alternatives to the Druzhba pipeline?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Yet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 10 April that the Druzhba pipeline was getting repaired and was expected to be fixed &#8220;this spring&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Slovakia&#8217;s Prime Minister Robert Fico, a longtime ally of Orb\u00e1n who has been insisting on the quick resumption of oil flows through Druzhba, suggested Magyar should be interested in fixing the pipeline.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I believe there remains a strong interest on the part of Slovakia, Hungary, and Central Europe as a whole in restoring the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline,&#8221; Fico said on X, after the Hungarian elections.<\/p>\n<p>Last September, Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakov\u00e1 discussed the call to end Russian supplies via the Druzhba pipeline with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, explaining that Slovakia needed conditions for diversifying its supply so it would not cut off its economy or industry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                          Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  US senators target Hungary with sanctions bill over Russian energy ties and Ukraine obstruction<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Russia uses old campaign to mock Europe for \u2018self-castrating\u2019 over energy<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Hungary demands EU lift sanctions on Russian energy as prices spike amid Iran war<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Slovakia<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Russia<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Hungary parliamentary elections 2026<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Viktor Orb\u00e1n<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Oil<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Natural gas<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2885783-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885783\" data-cid=\"9719904\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885783-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/99\/04\/320x180_cmsv2_9eeafa55-3e03-5b40-b897-d40db4d99a93-9719904.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen on Monday afternoon.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen aims at &#8216;swift&#8217; progress with Magyar after electoral win<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2885721-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885721\" data-cid=\"9719570\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885721-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/95\/70\/320x180_cmsv2_d4962981-1864-5483-a27f-684b97daf8ad-9719570.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Former President of the European Council, Charles Michel\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Magyar victory will bring more &#8216;European unity&#8217;, Michel says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2885015-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885015\" data-cid=\"9716495\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885015-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/64\/95\/320x180_cmsv2_4f07e750-6a3d-5635-9af2-3bae610027d6-9716495.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Supporters of P\u00e9ter Magyar celebrate after a parliamentary election in Budapest, 12 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Seismic shift: How 16 years of Hungarian politics changed in one day<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2885775-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885775\" data-cid=\"9719858\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885775-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/98\/58\/320x180_cmsv2_b3f75e14-1bab-51d9-9f37-cac60d8f08a4-9719858.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Supporters of Peter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza party celebrate after a parliamentary election in Budapest, Hungary, 12 April 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hungarian stocks hit record high after a landslide opposition victory<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2885736-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885736\" data-cid=\"9719612\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2885736-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885676\" data-cid=\"9719388\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hungary&#8217;s next PM P\u00e9ter Magyar demands &#8216;Orb\u00e1n&#8217;s puppets&#8217; leave office<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885015-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885015\" data-cid=\"9716495\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Seismic shift: How 16 years of Hungarian politics changed in one day<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885254-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885254\" data-cid=\"9717732\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU\u2019s top 5 economies vs top 5 US states: How do they compare in GDP?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2885106-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2885106\" data-cid=\"9716840\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Magyar beats Orb\u00e1n \u2014 what&#8217;s next for EU-Hungary relations?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Hungary&#8217;s incoming Prime Minister P\u00e9ter Magyar could shape not only domestic policy but also the future of Europe\u2019s energy ties with Russia, after winning the 12 April election and promising to eliminate his country\u2019s dependency on Russian energy imports by 2035.Magyar has also pledged to align Hungary more closely with EU efforts to diversify oil and gas supply, a process the EU launched in 2022 following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.But even though shifting away from outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n&#8217;s reliance on Russian oil could accelerate the region\u2019s move away from Moscow, it will not come without economic and logistical challenges.&#8221;The geographical position of neither Russia nor Hungary will change. Our energy exposure will also be here for a while,&#8221; Magyar told local media a few days before the election.&#8221;Diversification needs to be strengthened, but this won&#8217;t happen overnight. If necessary, we will negotiate (with Russia), but we won&#8217;t become friends,&#8221; the Hungarian hailing from the Tisza Party added.Magyar said that he would reassess financing for the Paks II nuclear project, a major Hungarian expansion project which is being developed in cooperation with Russia, while also exploring the potential to accelerate the deployment of smaller, more affordable modular reactors in collaboration with partners such as France and the United States.For years, outgoing Orb\u00e1n has steered Hungary along a distinct path within the EU, maintaining strong energy links with Moscow even as much of the bloc has worked to cut dependence on Russian oil and gas following the war in Ukraine.Under Orb\u00e1n, Hungary\u2019s position had largely conflicted with the EU&#8217;s energy transition goal, raising questions about whether the new leadership would remain a weak link in the bloc\u2019s energy strategy.The country imported roughly 100,000 barrels of Russian crude per day in 2025, according to analysts at S&amp;P Global Energy CERA, accounting for around 90% of its supply.Investment and infrastructureThe energy shift touted by Magyar, however, would not be immediate, as analysts say replacing Russian energy will require years of investment in new infrastructure and alternative sources.Dimitar Lilkov, a senior research officer at the think tank Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, pointed to an analysis that shows that Hungary has full access to alternative supply routes and refineries capable of processing non-Russian crude.The Croatian Adria pipeline, also known as Janaf, is one of these avenues, Lilkov said, even with potential lower transit costs.&#8221;Alternative options are also available for natural gas. Such a pivot cannot happen overnight, but is perfectly realistic given that there is political will in the years to come,&#8221; Lilkov told Euronews.&#8221;P\u00e9ter Magyar has already signalled that this diversification would be pursued by the new government, so we can be hopeful that Hungary finally escapes the Russian energy chokehold,&#8221; Lilkov added.While Orb\u00e1n had argued that alternatives are more costly, the Croatian Economy Minister Ante \u0160u\u0161njar hailed the Adriatic pipeline as a &#8220;reliable and credible route for regional energy security&#8221;.&#8221;Our infrastructure is here to strengthen resilience, diversification and security across Central Europe. And our message to the Hungarian people is equally clear \u2013 Croatia extends a hand of friendship. We want cooperation, not confrontation. In a time of uncertainty, good neighbors build solutions together,&#8221; \u0160u\u0161njar wrote on X on 12 April.Exemptions to Russian energy importsDue to their landlocked positions and difficult access to alternative energy suppliers, Hungary and Slovakia secured exemptions that allow continued imports of Russian pipeline oil until September 2027.However, the EU is pushing to eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027, including phasing out these exemptions with a full ban on Russian natural gas scheduled for 30 September 2027.It remains to be seen whether Magyar will challenge this position, given Hungary\u2019s landlocked geography and its exposure to energy constraints exacerbated by the wider energy crisis triggered by the war in Iran, which has raised fears of supply shortages.A ban on Russian oil imports was also to be proposed by the Commission on 15 April, but the EU executive decided to postpone it, a decision linked to the global energy crisis and a political row over the Druzhba pipeline.Druzhba pipelineHungary&#8217;s landlocked geography and Soviet-era infrastructure have left it reliant on pipelines such as Druzhba and TurkStream, ensuring a steady flow of crude and natural gas from the east.But damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which serves as a critical conduit for Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary via Ukraine&#8217;s territory, has been another contested political issue leading up to the 12 April elections.The Soviet-era pipeline has been damaged since 27 January, with Ukraine saying that a Russian airstrike damaged it. Russia denied it while Hungary and Slovakia complained about Ukraine&#8217;s unwillingness to repair the damaged pipeline, arguing they were suffering from &#8220;political blackmail&#8221;.The Adria pipeline has effectively ensured &#8220;uninterrupted supply to both Hungary and Slovakia&#8221; over the past few weeks, Minister \u0160u\u0161njar said. However, with Druzhba flows halted, Hungary has pushed to import Russian oil by sea via Croatia, but it has yet to get approval from the pipeline operator.The Druzhba pipeline has become shrouded in uncertainty, with EU officials being extremely coy about sharing details of the EU mission sent to Ukraine to assess the situation.The Commission asked Ukraine to allow inspectors to oversee the damage to the pipeline, in line with a key demand from Hungary&#8217;s Orb\u00e1n, which has maintained a veto on a critical \u20ac90 billion loan to Ukraine until the pipeline resumes operations.Yet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 10 April that the Druzhba pipeline was getting repaired and was expected to be fixed &#8220;this spring&#8221;.Meanwhile, Slovakia&#8217;s Prime Minister Robert Fico, a longtime ally of Orb\u00e1n who has been insisting on the quick resumption of oil flows through Druzhba, suggested Magyar should be interested in fixing the pipeline.&#8221;I believe there remains a strong interest on the part of Slovakia, Hungary, and Central Europe as a whole in restoring the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline,&#8221; Fico said on X, after the Hungarian elections.Last September, Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakov\u00e1 discussed the call to end Russian supplies via the Druzhba pipeline with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, explaining that Slovakia needed conditions for diversifying its supply so it would not cut off its economy or industry.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/04\/13\/can-peter-magyar-break-hungarys-reliance-on-russian-oil&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/97\/18\/1200x675_cmsv2_28560d35-17e9-5209-9784-93fdc653b12d-9719718.jpg&#8221;] No Comment Lebanon: Red Cross teams inspect wreckage after Israeli airstrikes damage ambulances Business Goldman Sachs posts best quarterly profit in five years with 18% jump Smart Regions The pioneering project integrating drones into air traffic control In partnership with the European Commission Europe News Von der Leyen aims at &#8216;swift&#8217; progress [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1879785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1879785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1879785"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1879785\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1879785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1879785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1879785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}