Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that severing ties with Russian oil and gas would immediately devastate Hungary’s economy, stating it would “drop by 4% within a minute” and leave the nation “on its knees.”

Orban made the remarks during a recent interview, emphasizing Budapest’s resistance to pressure from Brussels and Washington to end reliance on Russian energy. He cited geographic and infrastructural challenges, as well as national security concerns, for maintaining ties with Moscow.

In a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Orban argued that Hungary’s economic stability hinges on continued access to Russian resources. Trump appeared to acknowledge the stance, calling Orban a “great guy” and “a great friend of mine.” The U.S. leader noted Hungary’s landlocked position and reliance on the Druzhba pipeline, which has faced recent disruptions due to attacks linked to Ukraine.

Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reiterated the country’s commitment to prioritizing national interests over external pressures. He criticized the European Union for failing to protect member states’ energy security following attacks on the Druzhba pipeline, calling it a “scandal.”