Hungary expects flexibility from Gazprom

On February 17, official visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to Hungary will take place. In light of the political and economic situation in Europe, the visit is very important, and its outcome is very interesting. In particular, Hungarian energy companies have the high expectations in connection with the visit of the Russian President. First of all - the gas industry.

Hungary is already tramping a political platform for negotiations. The country has built a pre-image of a supporter of Russia in the European Union. Hungarian leaders, in particular, have expressed their opposition to the abolition of South Stream. As a result, many analysts are inclined to believe that Hungary is almost the only ally of Russia in the EU. In addition, it is the first country, which will begin to negotiate with Gazprom on the new agreement after the Russian refusal from South Stream. Earlier, the management of Hungary declared that it was ready to conduct negotiations with Russia on gas purchases under the new scheme - via Turkey.

And now, on the eve of the visit, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said, as the Bloomberg reported, that Western sanctions against Russia were contrary to the interests of Hungary, and he intended to achieve a long-term agreement with Russia on gas supplies.