Novak discussed energy supplies with the Hungarian Foreign Minister

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto had a telephone conversation during which they discussed trade and supplies of oil and gas. About it informs press service of the government of the Russian Federation.

Novak noted the importance of Hungary for Russia in the field of oil supplies via the southern branch of the Druzhba oil pipeline. The Cabinet specified that in 2022 the country received 4.63 billion cubic meters. m of oil through the Transneft system. In addition, Russia continues to fulfill all contractual obligations with Hungary for gas supplies, and also exports additional volumes of energy at the request of Budapest.

In addition, at the end of 2022, the trade turnover between Russia and Hungary increased by 80%, to $10.8 billion. The government noted that Russian exports grew 2.5 times, to $9.4 billion.

Novak said that the Hungarian authorities are “pragmatic” in building relations with the Russian Federation, despite pressure from the West. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Hungary “remains, in fact, the only one of the EU countries that firmly defends its national interests.”

At the end of August 2022 Hungary signed a contract with Gazprom, according to which, from September 1, the country receives 5.8 million cubic meters. m of gas per day. Prior to this, deliveries to the country were at the level of 2.6 million cubic meters. m of gas per day. Additional volumes of gas will be supplied to Hungary via Turkish Stream and Serbia.

Russian oil is exported to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline. On December 5 last year, the price ceiling for Russian oil at $60/bbl, approved by the EU countries, came into force. But deliveries via Druzhba were not subject to EU sanctions: exceptions were made for Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

After the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, Western countries imposed large-scale sanctions against the Russian Federation. At the same time, Hungary has repeatedly criticized the restrictions and raised the issue of their easing.