When asked about the reason for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent meeting with the Russian president at a press conference, Gergely Gulyás said: “Hungary has a clear position on the Russian-Ukrainian war which calls for a ceasefire and peace talks as soon as possible”.
Gulyás said Hungary deems Russia’s war in Ukraine unacceptable and sharply condemns it, and sees the territorial integrity of countries of paramount importance, as enshrined in international law. At the same time, Hungary’s energy supplies cannot be ensured without Russia, Gulyás said, noting that the incumbent government had done the most to diversify the country’s energy resources. “We have created energy links with six neighbouring countries, but 90% of our gas supply and more than two-thirds of our oil supply still depend on Russia.” He said there was nothing extraordinary about Viktor Orbán’s recent meeting with the Russian president, as the Austrian chancellor, among others, also met Putin. He said EU leaders and Putin were in regular contact since the start of the war in Ukraine. Commenting on Bulgaria’s decision to significantly raise the transit fee on gas deliveries, Gulyás said the measure went against EU law and violated Hungary’s right to safe energy supplies. “We call on Bulgaria to withdraw the measure as soon as possible. We are looking to find legal solutions.” Asked about gas prices in Hungary, Gulyás said they would not change until December 31, adding that the government would deal with the issue of reviewing them before that date.