Hungary's foreign minister defends attending Russian energy forum

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjárto has attended an energy forum in St Petersburg despite Russia's war against Ukraine and Western sanctions against Moscow.

Russian news agencies quoted him as saying that he did not fear repercussions from the European Union over his visits to Russia.

"Foreign policy is a part of sovereignty and we allow no one to restrict this sovereignty," he was reported as saying.

During his appearance at the St Petersburg International Gas Forum, he advocated for Europe cooperating with Moscow in the oil, gas and nuclear sectors.

The minister said Hungary will import around 5 million metric tons of oil from Russia this year via the Druzhba pipeline, which carries supplies to Central Europe.

Additionally, he said that he intended to conclude another agreement with the Russian state energy giant Gazprom concerning gas deliveries while at the forum. Szijjárto asserted that Hungary's energy security could only be ensured by working with Russia.

During his appearance in St Petersburg, he told the audience that it was to Hungary's credit that the EU had not imposed sanctions on the delivery of gas and nuclear fuels from Russia.

The government of right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán continues to maintain good relations with Moscow two and a half years after the all-out invasion of Ukraine began.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Orbán in Moscow in July, outraging top EU officials.