EU country ‘found a way’ to procure Russian gas, says foreign minister
Hungary has addressed the majority of the payment challenges arising from US sanctions on Gazprombank, stated Peter Szijjarto during a briefing with lawmakers in Budapest. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Hungary has reportedly resolved most of the payment issues stemming from US sanctions on Gazprombank, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
Szijjarto stated that Budapest and Moscow have developed solutions for many of the challenges created by the sanctions announced by Washington at the end of November, which led to a halt in payments for Russian natural gas and transit fees. This disruption has affected gas supplies to Hungary and Slovakia.
“We have found solutions to three of the four issues,” Szijjarto told the Hungarian Parliament on Tuesday. “In one case, we already have a legal basis for two different structures, and will pick out the best one.”
In his remarks to a parliamentary committee, Szijjarto emphasized the significant impact of the US sanctions on payments being processed through Gazprombank. These payments included those for natural gas purchased from Gazprom, transit fees through neighboring countries, and Russian fuel for the Paks Nuclear Power Plant.
During a visit to Moscow on Monday, Szijjarto discussed the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak and officials from Russian energy firms. He conveyed to lawmakers that Russian partners expressed their interest in continuing gas deliveries and upholding existing agreements. Legal experts specializing in sanctions, energy, and finance are currently exploring effective ways to navigate the situation.
Washington's sanctions aim to compel countries in central and southeastern Europe to shift away from Russian energy and towards more expensive American alternatives, Szijjarto asserted.
“We have no intention of giving up this good cooperation,” Szijjarto remarked to Hungarian media on Monday, in reference to the contracts with Russia. “Not only because no one has ever made us a better offer. We are not aware of any energy sources that are more secure and more competitively priced.”
Hungary maintains a long-term contract with Gazprom and primarily sources its gas from Russia. By the end of October, Budapest had imported over 6.2 billion cubic meters of Russian natural gas, an increase from 5.6 billion in 2023 and 4.8 billion in 2022. The gas is primarily delivered via the Turkish Stream pipeline and its branches through Bulgaria and Serbia.
The upcoming energy payments to Russia are scheduled for December 20, and Budapest has assured that a resolution will be reached by that time.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Szijjarto stated that Budapest and Moscow have developed solutions for many of the challenges created by the sanctions announced by Washington at the end of November, which led to a halt in payments for Russian natural gas and transit fees. This disruption has affected gas supplies to Hungary and Slovakia.
“We have found solutions to three of the four issues,” Szijjarto told the Hungarian Parliament on Tuesday. “In one case, we already have a legal basis for two different structures, and will pick out the best one.”
In his remarks to a parliamentary committee, Szijjarto emphasized the significant impact of the US sanctions on payments being processed through Gazprombank. These payments included those for natural gas purchased from Gazprom, transit fees through neighboring countries, and Russian fuel for the Paks Nuclear Power Plant.
During a visit to Moscow on Monday, Szijjarto discussed the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak and officials from Russian energy firms. He conveyed to lawmakers that Russian partners expressed their interest in continuing gas deliveries and upholding existing agreements. Legal experts specializing in sanctions, energy, and finance are currently exploring effective ways to navigate the situation.
Washington's sanctions aim to compel countries in central and southeastern Europe to shift away from Russian energy and towards more expensive American alternatives, Szijjarto asserted.
“We have no intention of giving up this good cooperation,” Szijjarto remarked to Hungarian media on Monday, in reference to the contracts with Russia. “Not only because no one has ever made us a better offer. We are not aware of any energy sources that are more secure and more competitively priced.”
Hungary maintains a long-term contract with Gazprom and primarily sources its gas from Russia. By the end of October, Budapest had imported over 6.2 billion cubic meters of Russian natural gas, an increase from 5.6 billion in 2023 and 4.8 billion in 2022. The gas is primarily delivered via the Turkish Stream pipeline and its branches through Bulgaria and Serbia.
The upcoming energy payments to Russia are scheduled for December 20, and Budapest has assured that a resolution will be reached by that time.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
