Daijiworld Media Network - Ankara

Ankara, Dec 9: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday announced that Turkey has agreed to guarantee the flow of Russian natural gas to Hungary, further cementing Budapest’s continued reliance on Moscow for energy despite ongoing criticism from European allies.

Speaking at a press conference broadcast on state channel M1, Orban said he reached an understanding with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to secure uninterrupted gas transit via the TurkStream pipeline.

"Today I agreed with the president that Turkey will guarantee the route so that we can transport gas from Russia to Hungary," Orban stated.

Hungary, which signed a 15-year agreement with Russia in 2021 to purchase 4.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, increased its intake from Gazprom last year. Budapest has already received 7.5 billion cubic metres of gas via TurkStream so far this year, Orban said.

Hungary’s steadfast dependence on Russian energy since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict has drawn criticism from several EU and NATO partners, who have urged Budapest to diversify its energy sources.

The diplomatic breakthrough comes a month after the United States granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions targeting the use of Russian oil and gas. The waiver followed Orban’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, where he argued for protection from penalties.

Orban also travelled to Moscow in late November to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying his visit aimed at ensuring Hungary’s winter and next-year energy needs were fully secured.