Russian oil and gas supplies lead agenda as Putin meets Hungary’s Peter Szijjarto in Moscow

Vladimir Putin hosted Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in Moscow for talks focused on continued Russian oil and gas supplies to Hungary. Szijjarto sought assurances after Druzhba pipeline interruptions and wider market disruption linked to regional conflict. Hungary alleged Ukraine held back flows, while Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone strike affected the pipeline.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in Moscow on Wednesday for talks. Oil and gas supplies were a main focus. Hungary has continued to rely on Russian fossil fuels despite the war in Ukraine. The meeting also included an announcement on the release of two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war.

Szijjarto said earlier on Wednesday that the visit aimed to secure assurances on energy access. Szijjarto cited disruption linked to the war in the Middle East. Szijjarto also pointed to interruptions in Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline. The pipeline crosses Ukraine and supplies refineries in Hungary and Slovakia.

Russian oil and gas supplies and the Druzhba pipeline

Putin told Szijjarto that Russia intended to keep meeting its commitments. "the Russian authorities have always fulfilled all our obligations, and, of course, we intend and are ready to do so.I understand that this is of concern to you, particularly oil supplies. We see whats happening in the global and European gas markets. Well be happy to discuss all these issues,\" Putin said.

Putin also added a caution about limits on control. \"Not everything is in our power,\" he said. The comments came as energy markets faced wider pressure. Szijjarto said Hungary wanted continued supplies. Szijjarto said Hungary wanted access at an unchanged price, despite higher prices.

The Hungarian government has recently accused Kyiv of deliberately slowing deliveries through Druzhba. Ukrainian officials rejected that claim. Ukrainian officials said the pipeline was damaged in a Russian drone attack. The pipeline runs through Ukraine’s territory. It carries Russian oil onward to Hungary and Slovakia.

Szijjarto described the disruption as deliberate. \"Ukraine has been blocking oil shipments to Hungary on the Druzhba oil pipeline for weeks, solely for political reasons and based on a political decision.\" Szijjarto linked the issue to Hungary’s energy security. Szijjarto said the visit was meant to protect supply stability.

Russian oil and gas supplies and POW release

Putin announced that Russia was releasing two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war. The two fought in the Ukrainian armed forces. Putin said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban raised the matter in a phone call on Tuesday. Putin added that Szijjarto could take them back on the same flight used for travel.

Putin described the travel plan in direct terms. \"Szijjarto will be able to bring them home right on the plane that brought you here and that you will return to Budapest on.\" Szijjarto thanked Putin in Russian. Putin said the two released POWs held dual citizenship. Many ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine also hold dual citizenship.

Szijjarto has previously accused Ukraine of forced conscription in Zakarpattia. The region in western Ukraine has a large ethnic Hungarian community. The community is estimated at about 75,000 people. The two released prisoners were described by Putin as part of that group. The claim about conscription has been a long-running point of dispute.

Russian oil and gas supplies and Hungary’s political backdrop

The prisoner release deal came as Orban intensified an anti-Ukraine campaign before elections next month. Orban has been trailing in most polls against a centre-right challenger. The challenger has promised to restore Hungary’s Western alliances. The challenger has also pledged to reduce reliance on Russian energy.

Orban has accused Kyiv and the European Union of seeking to bankrupt Hungary. Orban has argued that pressure comes from demands to support Ukraine financially. Orban has also warned voters about the war’s human cost. Orban has claimed an election loss would lead to Hungarian youth being sent to the front lines.

Last week, Hungary blocked a fresh EU sanctions package against Russia. The move followed interruptions in oil supplies passing through Ukraine. Hungary also said it would block a 90-billion euro ($106 billion) EU loan for Kyiv. Hungary said it would maintain that position until oil flows resumed.

With inputs from PTI