Hungary has signed the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchase agreement in its history with French company Engie – the second such deal in two months to help diversify its energy supply and reduce dependence on Russia. Source: Reuters Details: Last month, US President Donald Trump said he would urge Hungary to stop purchasing Russian oil as part of pressure on NATO allies to reduce energy ties with Moscow due to its war against Ukraine. Advertisement: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán responded that giving up Russian energy would be a "catastrophe" for Hungary's economy. On Thursday 2 October, Hungarian wholesale gas trader MVM CEEnergy agreed to purchase 400 million cubic metres of gas annually from Engie from 2028 to 2038. The agreement complements a contract signed last month with Shell, under which Hungary will buy 200 million cubic metres of gas per year starting in January 2026 – covering about 2.5% of its demand. At the signing ceremony with Engie, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said this was the longest LNG supply contract in Hungary's history and would become "a pillar to the country's energy security". At the same time, Engie did not specify the origin of the gas supplied to Hungary. European LNG buyers and traders typically source from a portfolio that includes the US, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and sometimes Russia. Background: US President Donald Trump recently addressed the UN General Assembly and warned Russia of "a very strong round of powerful tariffs" if it does not take steps to end its war against Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!