Hungary Stabbed Russia In The Back

• 23.05.2026, 14:36

Budapest has found a cheap alternative to Russian gas in the EU.

Hungary is considering signing an agreement with the Romanian companies OMV Petrom and Romgaz on gas supplies from the Romanian field Neptun Deep, the production of which is planned to start in 2027, the local edition Index reports, citing sources familiar with the issue.

According to the journalists' interlocutors, the Hungarian state energy company MVM has already agreed on the cost of "blue fuel" from the new field for Hungary. It is assumed that Romanian gas for Hungary will not be more expensive than Russian gas. The schedule and volumes of supplies are currently being discussed. It is expected that at the initial stage Hungary will be able to import up to 1 billion cubic meters of gas from the Romanian gas field.

The journalists add that supplies of "blue fuel" from Romania could replace 20-25% of Russian gas imports.

"It would be the biggest step towards getting gas from outside Russia at a favorable price. If we fail to realize it, then from now on there will be only sources that are much more expensive," said the source of the publication.

The fate of the agreement should be decided in the coming weeks. Journalists note that its signing is complicated by the fact that in Hungary there is a change of government, while in Romania an interim government is in power. In addition, Romania has a pre-emptive right of the state to buy out strategic raw materials.

"If the new Hungarian leadership does not sign the contract right now, the multi-year negotiations will break down and everything will have to start all over again," the newspaper stresses.

According to open sources, Neptun Deep is a strategically important field for the EU, whose reserves are estimated at about 100 billion cubic meters.