Washington pressures: Trump’s envoy demands Hungary and Slovakia to cut off Russian gas
12 September 2025 17:45
During his meetings in Brussels, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright urged EU countries that still buy Russian gas, primarily Hungary and Slovakia, to stop buying it.
He emphasized that the United States is ready to increase supplies of its own liquefied natural gas to reduce the Kremlin’s energy revenues. This was reported by Politico, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Washington’s arguments
- “The more we can limit Russia’s ability to finance this deadly war, the better for everyone,” Wright said.
- The American official emphasized that Europe should buy fuel from “its friends” and not from the Kremlin.
- He also called on EU countries to find alternatives to Russian nuclear power, focusing on the United States or European producers.
Why Hungary and Slovakia?
These countries are among the few in the EU that still resist giving up Russian gas.
- Viktor Orban regularly blocks sanctions against Russia and financial aid to Ukraine, explaining that he is protecting Hungarian energy security.
- Slovakia also maintains a high level of dependence on Russian fuel, despite the European course of diversification.
The energy dimension
Wright warned that if the EU does not change its gas legislation, imports of liquefied natural gas from the United States could become more difficult. Washington insists on long-term contracts and guarantees for American companies.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU sharply reduced its purchases of Russian gas, but Hungary became Moscow’s main Trojan horse in energy issues.
As of 2024, most EU countries cover their needs with American LNG and Norwegian gas.
Viktor Orbán has repeatedly opposed European sanctions and maintains close contacts with the Kremlin, which causes tensions in Budapest’s relations with Brussels.
