WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Curtis (R-UT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced a bipartisan resolution calling on all remaining European countries, including Hungary, to fully end their dependence on Russian energy and close remaining loopholes that continue to fund Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine. The resolution welcomes the Trump Administration’s renewed enforcement of Russian energy sanctions and cites President Trump’s statement urging European member states “to immediately cease all energy purchases from Russia.” The resolution credits the European Union (EU) for its leadership in securing commitments by most EU member states and undertaking efforts to end their dependence on Russian oil and gas, resulting in a 90 percent reduction since 2022. Yet despite the significant steps undertaken by many EU states, Hungary remains a prominent outlier, increasing its dependence of Russian oil and funneling billions of dollars to the Kremlin.
“One of the most important lessons from Putin’s invasion is that energy dependence on Russia comes at a cost to democracy,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “Europe has made extraordinary progress cutting its energy ties with Moscow, but Hungary’s actions continue to undermine collective security and embolden the Kremlin. President Trump has made it clear that he expects our allies to stand firm in cutting off Russia’s energy revenues. Ahead of Prime Minister Orbán’s meeting with President Trump, this bipartisan resolution sends a clear message that when it comes to buying Russian energy, all allies should be held to the same standard, and that includes Hungary.”
“Vladimir Putin is a war criminal who uses Russia’s energy exports to fund his campaign of murder and aggression,” said Senator Tillis. “The United States and our allies must continue to stand with Ukraine, strengthen NATO, and cut off the financial lifelines that enable Putin’s brutality. This resolution sends a clear message that we will not allow energy dependence to become a weapon in the hands of a brutal dictator.”
“When NATO allies buy Russian oil, they feed Putin’s war machine. I applaud the European Union countries who have severed ties with Russia, but there is more work to be done. My colleagues and I implore Hungary to decrease its consumption of Russian energy, which only helps Russia extend its war on Ukraine,” said Senator Wicker.
“The President is right to expect that America’s European allies take necessary steps toward strengthening trans-Atlantic security and increasing leverage against Putin’s aggression on their continent,” said Senator McConnell. “Hungary’s willful reliance on Russian energy weakens this leverage and undermines the President’s efforts to lead our allies toward peace through strength.”
“Most European nations have made great strides in reducing their dependence on Russian energy since Putin launched his unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, slashing the energy revenue funding Russia’s war machine. Prime Minister Orbán’s refusal to join other European leaders in making the same commitment will prolong Putin’s war and embolden Russia’s aggression – putting the security of NATO’s eastern flank allies, and thus the entire alliance, at risk,” said Senator Bennet. “President Trump has been clear that America’s allies must cut off their energy ties with Russia amid Putin’s refusal to end this war. He has been equally clear that he considers Prime Minister Orbán to be his friend. President Trump should therefore use his influence with the Prime Minister to ensure that Hungary joins its allies in ending its dependence on Russian energy.”
“I am proud of the efforts the U.S. and our European partners have made to link arms and support Ukraine in its fight for freedom. We are at our strongest when we stand with our friends and allies. But we need to do more to keep up pressure on Putin,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in introducing this resolution to send a strong message to Hungary and other EU members to stop financing the oil purchases from Russia that help fund Putin’s atrocities.”
“For almost four years now, the world has witnessed the horrific and brutal atrocities committed by Russia against Ukraine,” said Senator Rosen. “We have also seen the incredible resolve of the Ukrainian people to defend their country, democracy, and sovereignty. I’m calling on our allies in Europe to help them do so by stopping one of Russia’s key funding sources. While the European Union has done a remarkable job reducing Russian energy imports, it will take all of us, including Hungary, to fight back.”
The full text of the resolution can be found HERE.
Ranking Member Shaheen has long led bipartisan efforts to strengthen Europe’s energy independence and transatlantic security. As Co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, she has championed sanctions against Russia’s energy sector and opposed projects like Nord Stream II that deepen dependence on the Kremlin. This resolution builds on that legacy by reaffirming the Senate’s bipartisan commitment to ensuring Europe’s complete and lasting break from Russian energy.
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