Why Did Hungary Say No to Trump's Russian Oil Ultimatum?

Hungary and the United States entered a tense new chapter when President Donald Trump directly called Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, urging Hungary to stop importing Russian oil.

The conversation was part of Donald Trump's drive to curtail Russian oil revenues and shift NATO allies toward greater energy independence.

Hungarian officials wasted no time making their position clear: national energy security must come first, even as the geopolitical landscape grows more complicated.

Due to infrastructure and proximity, Hungary considers Russian crude to be a necessity rather than a choice.

What Did Trump Demand from Hungary on Russian Oil?

President Trump told Prime Minister Orbán that Hungary needed to end its Russian oil imports if it wanted to align with the new US-led NATO push against Moscow.

He publicized his intentions prior to the call, stating that he would personally reach out to his “friend” Orbán and expected a change in course.

This demand was part of a wider ultimatum to NATO members, announced on September 13, threatening “major sanctions” on Russia if allies continued such imports.

Trump specifically identified Hungary, Slovakia, and Turkey as lagging in efforts to phase out Russian crude.

His reasoning centered on maximizing economic pressure on Russia to stop the war in Ukraine by cutting off one of Moscow’s most critical revenue streams.

The White House framed it as a test of alliance solidarity and shared responsibility among NATO’s European partners.

Did you know?
Hungary's MOL refinery in Százhalombatta is one of the few in Central Europe designed for Russian Ural crude, making rapid supply changes highly complex.

How Did Hungarian Officials Respond to US Pressure?

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó reported that Orbán thoroughly explained Hungary’s unique situation to President Trump. Gergely Gulyás, a key Cabinet minister, highlighted that Orbán raised Hungary’s rational need for affordable energy and the protection of family utility budgets during their conversation.

“The President understood these aspects,” Gulyás noted, signaling that, while respectful, Hungary would not comply with Trump’s wishes at this time.

Szijjártó was unequivocal in public statements after the call: Hungary cannot guarantee its energy security without Russian supplies.

He acknowledged Trump’s calls for peace and condemned the war in Ukraine but stressed that Hungary’s location creates an energy reality the country simply cannot ignore.

For Budapest, geography matters as much as diplomacy when it comes to keeping the lights on and homes warm.

What Energy Obstacles Does Hungary Face Without Russian Oil?

Hungary's reliance on Russian oil is more than symbolic; nearly all its crude arrives via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, traveling from Belarus and Ukraine directly to Hungarian refineries.

While the country's imports represent just 2% of Russia’s total exports, Russian oil constitutes a significant majority of Hungary’s annual fuel needs.

Technical limitations compound the issue. Russian Ural crude is the specialty of Hungarian refineries, particularly those run by the state-influenced energy group MOL.

Transitioning to different grades would require substantial investment and time, with MOL suggesting that a full shift away from Russian oil could stretch into late 2026 or beyond.

The economic stakes are high, as Hungary collects special taxes from MOL’s profits on discounted Russian barrels.

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Why Are Alternatives Like Croatia’s Adriatic Pipeline Not Enough?

Some Western officials have pointed to the Adriatic pipeline, operated by Croatia’s JANAF, as a potential alternative for Hungary. However, real-world technical and contractual issues limit this option.

While JANAF claims to be able to supply Hungary’s entire annual demand of more than 14 million tonnes, MOL has secured contracts for only about 2.2 million tonnes for 2024.

Recent tests failed to show the pipeline could offer stable, long-term oil volumes needed for national energy guarantees. Pipeline capacity constraints, fluctuating pricing, and lack of ready adaptation by Hungarian refineries remain significant hurdles.

The Hungarian government argues that it is difficult to overcome engineering realities, even with political will.

Could Hungary Pivot Away from Russian Oil Soon?

While Hungarian officials indicate some willingness to diversify, they set practical conditions. MOL executives stated that it might be possible to phase out Russian crude entirely by the end of 2026, but only if substantial European Union subsidies are granted, potentially “a couple of hundred million” out of a $500 million refinery upgrade budget.

This hesitancy is underpinned by wider domestic political calculations. Cutting ties with Russian suppliers abruptly could trigger price shocks, threaten supply stability, and provoke public backlash if household utilities become more expensive.

It is a scenario many governments in the region fear as winter approaches. Hungary’s decision sends a powerful signal to both Washington and Brussels that energy security, economics, and geography intertwine in Central Europe.

As pressure mounts from the US and other NATO allies, Hungarian leaders remain determined to chart their own path, balancing alliance commitments and domestic realities.

Looking ahead, Europe’s energy future will depend greatly on finding workable compromises rather than strict ultimatums. Hungary's stance highlights the complex tradeoffs facing countries caught between superpower rivalries and the day-to-day demands of national energy supply.