Hungarian-Russian economic cooperation is still progressing despite the military conflict in Ukraine approaching its third anniversary and the EU still not satisfied with the sanctions imposed on Moscow.
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| Economic ties reveal why Hungarian Prime Minister Orban still chooses to move closer to Russia? (Source: Getty Images) |
Despite the impending cutoff of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orban is trying to find ways to channel energy from Russia through other routes.
Russia is also Budapest's main partner in important energy projects for Hungary's economic "lifeblood", as it is implementing the construction of new nuclear power plants in the country.
Hungary's Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto, known for his pro-Russian stance, often encourages large Hungarian companies to serve as role models for smaller companies in doing business in Russia, especially in sectors that are not subject to sanctions.
Mr. Peter Szijjarto made it clear that his contacts in the pharmaceutical, food, medical, construction, energy and agricultural sectors have no plans to leave the Russian market.
Foreign Minister Szijjarto stressed that by 2023, Hungary's exports to Russia would exceed $1 billion and the participation of giants such as Hungary's largest energy group MOL would inspire other companies to become more active in that region.
According to Bloomberg , Prime Minister Viktor Orban has informed EU leaders that he will not agree to extend sanctions against Russia until Donald Trump takes office as US President. This move is considered a strategy to hinder further Western sanctions against Russia.
Despite the military conflict in Ukraine, the Budapest government continues to build the Paks II nuclear power plant with Russia's Rosatom as the main contractor.
The Hungary-Russia deal, signed in 2014 in the presence of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and President Vladimir Putin, includes a loan of around €8 billion to €9.5 billion over 30 years to build two new nuclear power plant blocks.
The expansion of the Hungarian nuclear power plant is Prime Minister Orban's biggest economic project and, according to experts from the Center for Oriental Studies, is the flagship project in Russian-Hungarian cooperation.
The first block was originally scheduled for completion in 2032, but could be put into service up to a decade later. Investigations by the European Commission have found irregularities related to a temporary monopoly on fuel supplies, possible breaches of public procurement rules and the provision of allegedly illegal state aid.
Dominik Hejj, an expert on Hungarian politics, mentioned in an interview on businessalert.pl that economic relations with Russia are beneficial for Hungary, "they help maintain good political relations, which are very important in times of conflict that exist in many parts of the world".
Hungary faces gas challenges as its gas deal with Russia via the Ukrainian transit pipeline looks less optimistic. Like Slovakia and Austria, which previously benefited from cheap Russian gas, these Central European countries will have to stop receiving resources from the East via the “Friendship” pipeline.
This was confirmed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 19 at his annual press conference at the Kremlin. The Russian leader said that the transit agreement between Gazprom and gas companies will end at the end of 2024, due to Ukraine's refusal to extend the transit contract.
"This contract will no longer exist, that's clear. But it's okay — we will survive, Gazprom will survive," President Putin summed up the situation succinctly.
The situation arose mainly because Ukraine refused to renegotiate the deal. Kiev blocked gas transit to Hungary and Slovakia, which still depend on Russian supplies.
On December 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine will not extend the transit of Russian gas. Hungary can only rely on gas transportation from Russia via the southern route.
According to Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, the gas flow to Hungary will flow through the "Turkish Stream" pipeline.
“This will not be a problem for us, because Hungary can import gas via the Turkish Stream pipeline,” Szijjarto said, adding that the Turkish Stream – a pipeline system running from Russia under the Black Sea to Türkiye and then to southern Europe – could soon become an important alternative for gas shipments, including to other Central European countries.
Hungary imports about 4.5 billion cubic meters (about 160 billion cubic feet) of natural gas annually under a 15-year contract with Gazprom signed in September 2021. Russian gas accounts for 80% of Hungary's total gas imports.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/soi-day-rang-buoc-he-lo-ly-do-thu-tuong-hungary-orban-chon-huong-tien-gan-hon-ve-phia-nga-298599.html
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