Report: Hungary sharply increases reliance on Russian oil despite EU phaseout
Mar 23rd 2026 · Hungary
A report from the Center for the Study of Democracy finds Hungary increased its share of Russian crude to 93% of imports in 2025 and warns that exemptions, long contracts and discounted prices have reinforced Budapest's dependence on Russian oil, gas and nuclear fuel.
- Russian crude accounted for 93% of Hungary's oil imports in 2025, up from 61% in 2021, according to a CSD report.
- The report says Hungary has deepened dependence on Russian gas and nuclear fuel through long-term contracts, legal exemptions and commercial ties.
- Hungary and Slovakia have used EU exemptions to continue importing Russian oil since Russia's 2022 invasion.
- Hungarian state oil company MOL benefited from discounted Russian crude, with earnings rising about 15% to roughly €1.3 billion in 2025 while pre-tax fuel prices in Hungary and Slovakia remained higher than in Czechia.
- The EU plans to end Russian LNG by December 31, 2026, pipeline gas by September 30, 2027, and remaining oil by end of 2027, but the report warns legal loopholes could allow continued Russian flows via third countries.
- The Druzhba pipeline has been offline since late January and Hungary has used vetoes in EU decisions to press for resumed oil deliveries.
- Energy dependence on Russia is a major issue ahead of Hungary's April 12 parliamentary election.