Hungary asserts that this infrastructure is vital for its energy security, particularly as Brussels seeks to phase out Russian energy sources.
Hungary has confirmed advancement on a new oil pipeline with Serbia designed to transport Russian crude. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated the project is “moving forward,” vowing that Budapest would resist Brussels’ efforts to sever its access to Russian energy.
The planned 300km pipeline, anticipated to have an annual capacity of 4-5 million tons, will facilitate Serbia’s reception of Russian oil via the existing Druzhba pipeline, thereby establishing Hungary as a key transit hub.
Szijjarto’s announcement on Monday followed meetings with Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin and Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Dedovic-Handanovic. Szijjarto indicated that all parties support the initiative, which could be operational by 2027, and have reviewed its investment and construction specifics.
“We’re moving forward with Serbian and Russian partners to build a new oil pipeline between Hungary and Serbia,” Szijjarto posted on X.
Addressing reporters, he accused Brussels of aiming “to cut us off from Russian oil and gas, forcing Hungarian families to pay two to four times more.”
“We won’t allow that. We are building new sources, not shutting them down,” he added.
While Szijjarto did not detail Moscow’s precise involvement, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak had previously stated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum last month that Russia was prepared to assist in construction and supply oil to the prospective pipeline.
Russian oil deliveries to the EU have significantly declined due to Ukraine-related sanctions, including a 2023 embargo on seaborne crude and a price cap on Russian oil. Brussels’ RePowerEU plan aims to completely eliminate Russian energy imports by 2028.
Hungary, heavily reliant on Russian energy, opposes this plan. The nation recently blocked new sanctions targeting Moscow’s energy sector but lifted its veto in July after securing specific national exemptions. The 18th sanctions package now includes a dynamic price cap on Russian oil and restrictions on imports of oil products made from Russian crude in third countries.
Moscow has denounced Western sanctions as illegal and self-defeating, particularly those affecting energy. It cites rising prices in the EU and warns that the bloc will eventually need to resort to more expensive alternatives or indirect Russian imports through intermediaries.