Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó traveled to Moscow on Wednesday to hold talks on energy cooperation and peace efforts—an unusual diplomatic gesture within the EU as most of the bloc maintains a hardened stance against Russia amid its war in Ukraine.
As reported by Digi24, Szijjártó confirmed the visit via Facebook, emphasizing “peace, energy security, and strengthened economic cooperation” as the main goals of his trip. He met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak to reaffirm Hungary’s commitment to ongoing energy deals with Moscow. In 2024 alone, Russia supplied Hungary with a record 8.6 billion cubic meters of gas and nearly 4.8 million tons of oil.
Orban’s Balancing Act
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained a unique position within the EU, aligning himself closely with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. While Hungary has formally supported EU sanctions against Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Budapest has consistently pushed to soften or delay their implementation.
Orban has refused to send military aid to Kyiv and continues to advocate for an immediate ceasefire. His government has described peace talks—like this week’s partial ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Russia—as “milestones” toward resolving the conflict.
Strategic Isolation or Pragmatic Policy?
Szijjártó’s visit comes at a time when most European leaders are distancing themselves from the Kremlin, choosing instead to bolster ties with NATO and the United States. Yet Hungary is doubling down on its energy dependence on Russia, citing national security and economic stability.
Russian officials praised Hungary’s “balanced and objective foreign policy,” calling the relationship “mutually beneficial.” For Moscow, it’s a rare diplomatic win within the EU; for Budapest, it’s a calculated move that risks further isolating Hungary within the bloc’s political mainstream.
As the U.S. and Russia test new diplomatic channels, Hungary appears content to remain an outlier—betting that dialogue with both powers will better serve its national interests than confrontation.
