Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The European Union (EU) does not seem to be cohesive in boycotting Russian energy. At least this happened to Hungary.
The country of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is splitting the “unity” of the region, with the desire to buy Russian gas in large quantities on behalf of the country. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto even traveled to Moscow Thursday (21/7/2022) to discuss the matter.
“To ensure the security of Hungary’s energy supply, the government has decided to purchase an additional 700 million cubic meters of natural gas in addition to the amount specified in the long-term contract,” the ruling party, Fidesz, said in a statement on Facebook.
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“Szijjarto will negotiate the matter in Moscow,” the party statement added.
Collect AFPaccording to data from Hungarian natural gas pipeline operator FGSZ, 700 million cubic meters represent about 6.7% of Hungary’s natural gas consumption in 2020. Hungary relies on the energy of the Kremlin, importing 80% of gas and 65% of oil.
Szijjarto himself will meet with Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander Novak and Denis Manturov, as well as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Szijjarto has tweeted that he has arrived in Russia.
Please note, the EU, which consists of 27 countries, has actually officially adopted a ban on imports of most Russian oil. Hungary fought back by seeking relief from sanctions on Russian oil shipped via the pipeline.
For gas, the European Commission has urged EU countries to reduce Russia’s natural gas demand by 15% over the next few months. Meanwhile, inflation in the central European country has doubled in recent months for the first time in 20 years.
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