Hungary has defended its continued purchases of Russian oil, accusing several European Union members of hypocrisy for secretly importing the same crude through intermediaries.
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Friday that Budapest is being unfairly singled out while other nations secure Russian supplies indirectly from Asian routes. &ldquo;Let us not be misled by the hypocrites. Those who shout the loudest at Hungary and Slovakia are also buying Russian oil, only indirectly, through certain Asian countries,&rdquo; Szijjarto told reporters.
The minister explained that Hungary has no real alternative because the EU blocked requests to boost Southeast European gas pipeline capacity, while Croatia raised transit fees fivefold instead of expanding its alternative route. &ldquo;We buy Russian oil openly because we have no other option,&rdquo; he added, stressing that Hungary&rsquo;s energy security relies entirely on existing physical infrastructure.
The remarks came in response to US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s call for European nations to halt imports of Russian oil, arguing that such trade indirectly funds Moscow&rsquo;s war effort. According to Washington, the EU paid Russia around &euro;1.1 billion for fuel in the past year alone.
Szijjarto reiterated that critics are motivated not by principle but by price. &ldquo;They do this to buy cheaper oil&hellip; they buy Russian oil secretly because it is cheaper.&rdquo;
Budapest has also refused to back the opening of accession talks for Ukraine&rsquo;s membership in the EU, underscoring its growing divergence from Brussels on energy and regional policy.
The European Commission, under its REPowerEU initiative, aims to cut dependence on Russian fossil fuels entirely by 2027 and transition to renewables by 2030. However, both Hungary and Slovakia remain opposed, citing economic risks and energy insecurity. In July, Slovakia even blocked the EU&rsquo;s 18th sanctions package against Russia, warning it would threaten its economy.

Hungary Slams EU ‘Hypocrisy’ on Russian Oil

Hungary says EU states secretly buy Russian oil while blaming Budapest

Hungary Slams EU ‘Hypocrisy’ on Russian Oil

Hungary says EU states secretly buy Russian oil while blaming Budapest

September 6, 2025 | 09:01 IST