Hungary, one of Gazprom’s largest remaining clients within the European Union, is exploring the prospect of importing natural gas from Turkmenistan, The Moscow Times reported.
During a recent visit to Ashgabat, Hungary’s Deputy State Secretary for Eastern Relations Development, Ádám Stifter, described Turkmenistan as a promising partner in the energy sector. “Hungary depends on gas imports from different countries, and we view Turkmenistan with great hope. We expect Turkmenistan to become a supplier of gas to Europe, and particularly to Hungary, in the near future,” Stifter said, as quoted by Interfax.
The announcement aligns with Budapest’s broader efforts to diversify its energy supply. On Thursday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed that Hungary had signed its longest-ever liquefied natural gas (LNG) agreement, a 10-year deal with French company Engie. Starting in 2028, the contract will provide Hungary with 4 billion cubic meters of LNG, with deliveries continuing through 2038.
Earlier in September, Hungary also signed a contract with Shell to purchase 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually for ten years, beginning in 2026. That gas will be delivered via the Czech Republic and Germany.
Analysts view Hungary’s interest in Turkmen gas as a notable policy shift. Natalia Milchakova, a senior analyst at Freedom Finance Global, said the move signals a desire to reduce dependence on Russian energy. “Hungary and Slovakia have long relied on Russian oil and gas, but the change in tone from Budapest suggests a drive to diversify supply routes,” she noted.
However, the logistics remain complex. Milchakova pointed out that Turkmen gas would likely have to transit through Azerbaijan or Iran, routes complicated by infrastructure limitations and geopolitical challenges, or possibly via the TurkStream pipeline, which is operated in partnership with Gazprom.
Hungary currently imports about 4.5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually under a long-term contract valid until 2036. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) in Finland, Hungary spent approximately €500 million on energy imports from Russia in July 2025 alone, €285 million on gas and €200 million on oil.
Turkmenistan holds the world’s fourth-largest proven natural gas reserves. However, 80-90% of its gas exports are sent eastward to China via the Central Asia-China pipeline, highlighting the country’s long-standing reliance on a single buyer. Strengthening ties with Hungary could signal Ashgabat’s intent to diversify its export geography.
