Hungary remains top EU buyer of Russian gas despite 10% value drop

Hungary's spending on Russian pipeline gas fell 10% in value terms in the first eight months of 2026, yet Budapest remains the EU's largest buyer, paying €1.71 billion. The reduction likely reflects lower prices or volumes, but the continued reliance underscores Hungary's persistent divergence from EU efforts to cut Russian energy imports. This sustains a known pattern of Hungarian resistance to EU sanctions and energy diversification.