Economy Minister Kapitány: Hungary Can Quit Russian Gas by October 2027, Reviewing Paks II

In a Telex interview published September 18, Economy Minister István Kapitány said Hungary has enough alternative pipeline capacity to fully replace Russian gas imports by October 2027, the EU's regulatory deadline, calling the country's gas supply 'secured from other sources' if current plans hold. It marks a sharp reversal from the Orbán government's expansion of Russian energy ties. Kapitány said the government is separately reviewing whether the Rosatom-led Paks II nuclear expansion needs additional reactor blocks, with a decision expected by year-end, and noted that life-extension upgrades could keep the plant's four existing Soviet-era reactors running 20 years past their scheduled 2032 retirement. The government is also in talks with alternative suppliers to cut Russian crude oil dependence.