Trump–Orbán Tensions Rise As Bulgaria Backs EU Plan To Phase Out Russian Gas
Key Facts
- Trump and Orbán’s ties showed strain as Trump urged Europe to stop buying Russian energy.
- Bulgaria backed an EU plan to phase out Russian gas by 2027, impacting Hungary and Slovakia.
- Hungary and Slovakia oppose the plan, citing reliance on Russian supplies and higher costs.
- Orbán faces pressure to keep utility bills low ahead of Hungary’s April elections.
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief reporting from Budapest
NEW YORK/SOFIA/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The bromance between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán appeared strained on Monday: Bulgaria announced it plans to end Russian natural gas exports to the European Union after Trump called for Europe to end its Russian energy purchases.
The move will primarily affect Hungary and Slovakia, which still rely on Moscow for about 70 percent of their natural gas. Both countries have resisted EU efforts to cut Russian energy, warning that alternatives would increase costs.
However, Trump, once a close ally of Orbán, told the United Nations General Assembly last week that Europe must stop buying Russian oil and gas. “They’re funding the war against themselves. Who the hell ever heard of that one?” he said.
Soon after, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov confirmed support for an EU plan to phase out Russian gas by the end of 2027. Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov pledged that by January 2028, Russian gas would be fully phased out across Europe.
Bulgaria is crucial for Russian natural gas flows to Hungary through the TurkStream pipeline, which delivers fuel across the Black Sea into Turkey, then through Bulgaria and Serbia into Hungary. The route has grown in importance since flows via Ukraine and Poland were reduced after Russia’s 2022 invasion.
BOMBING ‘FRIENDSHIP PIPELINE’
Hungary also receives Russian oil through the Druzhba (“Friendship”) pipeline, which crosses Ukraine. That line has already been disrupted by Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.
Despite Hungary and Slovakia’s reliance, Brussels proposed banning Russian natural gas imports under short- and long-term contracts by 2027. EU states and the European Parliament are holding talks, with a deal expected by year’s end.
Sofia hosts the last remaining entry point for Russian pipeline gas into the bloc after Ukraine halted its transport deal with Moscow in January.
Hungary and Slovakia remain opposed. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said last week that Bulgaria had “assured” Budapest it would not put Hungary in a difficult situation, stressing that “no decision has been made yet.”
REGIONAL IMPACT
Experts say Hungary and Slovakia could turn to liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports through EU ports or pipeline shipments from Norway.
Stankov argued the two nations would not face energy security risks and confirmed Bulgaria is discussing joint tenders for U.S. LNG starting next year.
Analysts in Sofia believe pooled demand could make American LNG more affordable. However, prices could remain higher than what Hungarians currently pay, according to a Worthy News analysis.
Orbán, who faces April elections, wants to keep Hungarian utility bills among the lowest in Europe — a central pillar of his political strategy.
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