US Energy Secretary Urges Slovakia and Hungary to End Reliance on Russian Gas
BRATISLAVA/BUDAPEST – U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is calling on Slovakia and hungary to discontinue their reliance on Russian gas imports, advocating for alternative energy sources from the United States or within the European Union. The push comes amid heightened scrutiny of European energy security and ongoing concerns about Russia’s influence.
Granholm’s statement reflects growing Western pressure on Central European nations to reduce their energy dependence on Moscow, particularly as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. Both Slovakia and Hungary have historically been significant importers of Russian gas, with Slovakia utilizing the druzhba pipeline and Hungary pursuing expansion of its Paks II nuclear power plant with Russian support.This reliance has drawn criticism from allies and raised questions about potential vulnerabilities.
The call for diversification follows a recent ruling by the EU Supreme Court questioning the European Commission’s approval of Hungarian state aid for the Paks II project, citing concerns that the cooperation with Russian state-owned company Rosatom may have violated public contract rules. the court mandated a reassessment of the project’s compliance with EU regulations.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a long-time supporter of the Paks II project and opponent of EU sanctions against Russia, has resisted calls to curtail energy ties with Moscow. Similarly, Slovakia has expressed continued interest in russian gas imports. Granholm stated, “We want nuclear technology to come from the United States or the EU itself.”
