Hungary and Turkey announced an expansion of their strategic partnership on Monday, strengthening energy cooperation and coordinating diplomatic positions as Europe continues to grapple with the geopolitical fallout of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The agreement, disclosed by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó during meetings in Istanbul, underscores Budapest’s commitment to maintaining diversified energy routes and Ankara’s growing role as a central transit hub between Europe and Eurasia.
In a statement posted on social media, Szijjártó said both nations support negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and jointly condemn recent attacks on pipelines and commercial tankers in the Black Sea — incidents that have raised concerns about the vulnerability of global energy infrastructure. The minister reiterated that Hungary receives substantial volumes of Russian natural gas through the TurkStream pipeline, with an estimated eight billion cubic meters expected to arrive this year.
Szijjártó emphasized that energy supply “must not be turned into a political or ideological question,” reflecting Hungary’s longstanding opposition to EU efforts to reduce dependence on Russian hydrocarbons. Turkey, he said, remains a “reliable and fair transit partner,” enabling Budapest to circumvent potential disruptions elsewhere along Europe’s energy corridors.
A New Security and Energy Dialogue
Monday’s meeting marked the first session of the Joint Consultation Mechanism, a new platform bringing together foreign ministers, defense ministers, national security advisers, and defense industry leaders from both countries. According to Szijjártó, the mechanism is intended to elevate bilateral cooperation on security and energy policy, with a particular focus on strengthening infrastructure resilience and long-term supply stability.
Turkey, which has positioned itself as both a mediator in the Ukraine conflict and a strategic gateway for East-West energy flows, has sought closer ties with Hungary at a time when Ankara’s relations with Brussels remain strained. For Budapest, closer alignment with Turkey offers leverage in its broader confrontation with EU institutions over rule-of-law issues and energy policy disputes.
Air Transport Expansion and Diplomatic Engagements
Szijjártó also announced a forthcoming aviation agreement that will significantly expand air connectivity. Under the plan, 105 flights per week will link Budapest with major Turkish cities, including a new Wizz Air route between Budapest and Ankara — the first direct connection between the two capitals beginning next summer.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, also in Istanbul, is expected to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss the wider European and Eurasian security landscape. Orbán has repeatedly argued that Europe must reassess its strategy on Ukraine and prioritize ceasefire negotiations, a position that places him at odds with many EU and NATO partners.
The deepening cooperation between Budapest and Ankara highlights the increasingly complex energy and diplomatic architecture emerging across Europe — one shaped by war, sanctions, and shifting alliances. As both governments seek greater autonomy in navigating these pressures, their partnership signals a broader recalibration of influence across the continent.