Economy 2 February 2022, 8:40am

Hungary's Orbán asks Putin for one billion cubic metres more gas

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In the current uncertain times, we need more gas supplies under the long-term contract, not less, and that is why I have asked President Putin to increase our annual purchases under the long-term gas supply contract by one billion cubic metres, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at their joint press conference in Moscow on Tuesday evening. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded that this was not a problem for Russia and that a decision would be taken in early April, but he also sent a strong warning to other EU countries.

Vlagyimir Putyin Orban Viktor targyalas Kreml 2022 elso

Orbán indicated that negotiations will continue in the coming weeks on the request for an increase of one billion cubic metres. The size of the increase is nothing new, as two Hungarian ministers have already indicated it earlier, and Vladimir Putin seems to support the proposal.

If Putin nodded on the deal, it would put a secure source of gas behind around four-fifths of Hungary's annual gas consumption.

Putin said adding one billion cubic metres to Hungary's supply presents no problem for Russia, adding that the final decision will be made in early April. He added:

European partners may have gas problems next year, but Hungary will not, thanks to Russian gas.

Cover photo: The photo provided by the Kremlin shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (l) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (r) meeting in Moscow on 1 February 2022 in the Kremlin. Photo by MTI/Kremlin