Ashgabat (TDI): Hungary, one of Gazprom’s most significant clients within the European Union, is looking to expand its energy sources by tapping into Turkmenistan’s vast natural gas reserves.
During an official visit to Ashgabat, Hungary’s Deputy State Secretary for Eastern Relations Development, Ádám Stifter, called Turkmenistan “a promising partner in the energy field.” He remarked that Budapest hopes Turkmen gas could soon find its way into European markets, and particularly to Hungary, as part of efforts to secure more diverse supply channels.
“Hungary relies on gas imports from multiple countries, and we look to Turkmenistan with optimism. We expect it will soon become a supplier of gas to Europe, especially to Hungary,” Stifter was quoted as saying by Interfax.
This development fits within Hungary’s broader push to reduce reliance on Russian energy. Just last week, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Budapest had signed its longest-ever liquefied natural gas (LNG) agreement, a 10-year deal with the French company Engie. Under the agreement, starting in 2028, Hungary will receive around 4 billion cubic meters of LNG annually until 2038.
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Earlier this year, Hungary also finalized a separate contract with Shell, securing 2 billion cubic meters of gas each year for a decade beginning in 2026. The deliveries will be routed through the Czech Republic and Germany.
Energy analysts say Budapest’s growing interest in Turkmen gas marks a subtle but significant shift in policy.
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At present, Hungary imports roughly 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia each year under a long-term contract running until 2036. Data from Finland’s Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) shows that Hungary spent nearly €500 million on Russian energy imports in July 2025 alone, €285 million on gas and another €200 million on oil.
For Turkmenistan, which possesses the world’s fourth-largest proven natural gas reserves, closer ties with Hungary could offer a long-awaited opportunity to diversify its exports.
