Orban Speaks to Trump About Russian Oil
(MENAFN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently informed US President Donald Trump that Hungary’s economy would face an immediate and severe downturn if it ceased receiving oil and natural gas from Russia.
This exchange highlights Budapest's persistent resistance to increasing demands from Brussels and Washington to reduce or end its dependency on Russian energy.
Orban continues to defend this reliance by pointing to the country's geographical position, infrastructure limitations, and vital national security concerns.
In his routine Friday interview, Orban emphasized the grave consequences of a sudden cutoff.
“If Hungary is cut off from Russian oil and natural gas, immediately, within a minute, Hungarian economic performance will drop by 4%,” he warned.
“It means the Hungarian economy would be on its knees.”
His statement underscores the fragile balance Hungary must maintain in its energy policy to avoid a deep economic crisis.
When asked about Trump’s reaction during their phone discussion the previous day, Orban responded diplomatically: “America has its arguments and interests, Hungary has its own. Our task is to express and represent them clearly. If we are friends, we listen to each other – and then everyone does what they think is right.”
This remark reflects Orban’s approach of prioritizing national interest while maintaining dialogue with allies.
President Trump seemed to understand Orban’s position and expressed personal admiration, referring to him as a “great guy” and a “great friend of mine.”
Speaking to journalists at the White House, Trump noted Hungary’s geographical constraints: “Hungary, you know, they’re landlocked. And they don’t have a nice ocean where ships can sail in from all over the world. You know, they have one pipeline.”
He was referencing the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, which has faced disruptions recently due to actions by Ukraine, affecting energy flow to both Hungary and Slovakia.
This exchange highlights Budapest's persistent resistance to increasing demands from Brussels and Washington to reduce or end its dependency on Russian energy.
Orban continues to defend this reliance by pointing to the country's geographical position, infrastructure limitations, and vital national security concerns.
In his routine Friday interview, Orban emphasized the grave consequences of a sudden cutoff.
“If Hungary is cut off from Russian oil and natural gas, immediately, within a minute, Hungarian economic performance will drop by 4%,” he warned.
“It means the Hungarian economy would be on its knees.”
His statement underscores the fragile balance Hungary must maintain in its energy policy to avoid a deep economic crisis.
When asked about Trump’s reaction during their phone discussion the previous day, Orban responded diplomatically: “America has its arguments and interests, Hungary has its own. Our task is to express and represent them clearly. If we are friends, we listen to each other – and then everyone does what they think is right.”
This remark reflects Orban’s approach of prioritizing national interest while maintaining dialogue with allies.
President Trump seemed to understand Orban’s position and expressed personal admiration, referring to him as a “great guy” and a “great friend of mine.”
Speaking to journalists at the White House, Trump noted Hungary’s geographical constraints: “Hungary, you know, they’re landlocked. And they don’t have a nice ocean where ships can sail in from all over the world. You know, they have one pipeline.”
He was referencing the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, which has faced disruptions recently due to actions by Ukraine, affecting energy flow to both Hungary and Slovakia.
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