### Hungary's Energy Strategy: Balancing Russian Gas Imports and EU Regulations - Hungary has recently signed a two-year natural gas supply agreement with Azerbaijan, indicating a diversification of its energy sources. However, this move comes alongside a commitment to challenge the European Union's plan to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027, highlighting Hungary's ongoing reliance on Russian gas despite EU pressures [https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Hungary-Signs-Gas-Supply-Deal-with-Azerbaijan.html]. - Prime Minister Viktor Orban has secured an agreement with Turkey to ensure the continued flow of Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline, which is crucial for Hungary's energy security [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/turkey-to-guarantee-flow-of-russian-gas-to-hungary-orban-says]. ### Overview of Hungary's Energy Agreements and Challenges 1. **Gas Supply Agreement with Azerbaijan**: Hungary has signed a two-year deal to import natural gas from Azerbaijan, aiming to diversify its energy sources while still relying heavily on Russian gas [https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Hungary-Signs-Gas-Supply-Deal-with-Azerbaijan.html]. 2. **Continued Russian Gas Imports**: Hungary's Prime Minister has confirmed that Turkey will guarantee the transit of Russian gas to Hungary, ensuring a steady supply despite EU sanctions and pressures [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/3723821-hungary-secures-russian-gas-flow-via-turkey]. 3. **EU's Phase-Out Plan**: Hungary's commitment to challenge the EU's 2027 deadline for phasing out Russian energy imports indicates a significant political stance against EU energy policies [https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Hungary-Signs-Gas-Supply-Deal-with-Azerbaijan.html]. ### Supporting Evidence of Hungary's Energy Strategy - **Gas Supply Volume**: The agreement with Turkey ensures the transit of **7.5 billion cubic meters** of Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline, which is vital for Hungary's energy needs [https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/turkiye-guarantees-russian-gas-transit-route-to-hungary-orban-3211032]. - **Political Context**: Hungary's reliance on Russian gas has drawn criticism from EU and NATO allies, particularly in light of the ongoing geopolitical tensions stemming from the Ukraine conflict [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3723743-turkey-to-ensure-russian-gas-flow-to-hungary-erdogan-orban-agreement]. ### Conclusion: Hungary's Energy Dilemma 1. **Diverse Energy Sources**: Hungary is attempting to diversify its energy sources by signing a gas supply deal with Azerbaijan, which reflects a strategic move to reduce dependency on Russian gas [https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Hungary-Signs-Gas-Supply-Deal-with-Azerbaijan.html]. 2. **Reliance on Russian Gas**: Despite this diversification, Hungary's agreement with Turkey to ensure the flow of Russian gas underscores its continued reliance on Russian energy, which poses challenges in the context of EU energy policies [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/turkey-to-guarantee-flow-of-russian-gas-to-hungary-orban-says]. 3. **Political Implications**: Hungary's decision to challenge the EU's phase-out plan indicates a significant political stance that may have broader implications for EU energy policy and regional stability [https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Hungary-Signs-Gas-Supply-Deal-with-Azerbaijan.html].