Hungary exports Russian gas to Ukraine

Hungary exports Russian gas to Ukraine

Title: Hungary's Role in Russian Gas Transit to Ukraine

Hungary has been a key player in the transit of Russian gas to Ukraine, a role that has drawn significant attention amidst the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This article explores the dynamics of Hungary's involvement, the broader geopolitical implications, and the financial ramifications of this transit.

# Background

Since the start of the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, the transit of Russian gas through Hungary has been a contentious issue. Despite international efforts to impose sanctions on Russian hydrocarbons, Hungary has continued to facilitate the transit of Russian gas to Ukraine. This has raised concerns about the financial support provided to Russia's war effort and the potential impact on energy prices in Europe.

# Financial Implications

According to data analyzed by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Russia has made significant revenues from fossil fuel exports, including from EU member states like Hungary. By May 2025, Russia had earned over €883 billion ($973 billion; £740 billion) from such exports since the invasion began, with a substantial portion coming from EU countries [1].

Hungary's role in this transit has been highlighted in a recent study by the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) and CREA, which noted that Hungary continues to rely heavily on Russian oil, gas, and nuclear fuel despite having the capacity to switch to alternative sources [3]. This reliance on Russian energy has been criticized for undermining EU unity and energy security strategies.

# Geopolitical Context

The transit of Russian gas through Hungary is not merely a commercial transaction but a political one. The Russian memorandum presented to Ukraine envisions the gradual restoration of diplomatic and economic ties, including the resumption of gas transit, according to the state-run Tass news service [2]. This proposal underscores the strategic importance of energy transit routes in the ongoing conflict.

Hungary's continued support for Russian gas transit has been seen as a form of political alignment with Russia. Both Hungary and Slovakia, under the leadership of Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico respectively, have been identified as the most pro-Russian member states of the EU. Their refusal to provide military aid to Ukraine and their obstruction of key EU initiatives supporting Ukraine have further strained relations with the broader EU community.

# Conclusion

Hungary's role in the transit of Russian gas to Ukraine is a complex issue with significant financial and geopolitical implications. While the financial benefits of this transit are substantial for Hungary, the broader impact on the EU's energy security and its stance on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict cannot be ignored. As the conflict continues, the EU and other international actors will need to balance the economic needs of their member states with the broader geopolitical goals of isolating Russia's war effort.

# References

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxk454kxz8o
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-02/russian-proposals-to-ukraine-seek-gas-transit-tass-says
[3] https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/05/30/hungary-and-slovakia-knowingly-stay-dependent-on-russian-energy-study-shows/