CLEW Webinar: China, Russia, and Orbán’s energy gambit: how foreign powers are redrawing Hungary’s role on the EU stage
CLEW Webinar: China, Russia, and Orbán’s energy gambit: how foreign powers are redrawing Hungary’s role on the EU stage waiyilam Tue, 24 Mar 2026 - 16:33 9 April 2026 at 16.00-17.30 CET Berlin Journalists Hungary’s parliamentary elections on 12 April 2026 take place at a time when the country’s energy infrastructure has become a battleground for global influence from China, the United States and Russia. How do these powers influence Hungarian climate and energy policy at a time when the EU aims to curb outside interference? Clean Energy Wire CLEW invites journalists worldwide to join our expert-led webinar to prepare their election coverage. Bring your questions for a deep dive into Hungary’s energy challenges and their implications for Europe. This webinar is supported by Journalismfund Europe. Webinar China has already completed a major EU infrastructure project, the Budapest-Belgrade railway, and is now investing in its largest overseas battery factory in Hungary. Meanwhile, the US has signed a civil nuclear energy cooperation agreement with Budapest, while Russia is pushing to expand Hungary’s only nuclear power plant, Paks II. Adding to the complexity, Orbán’s government rejects EU plans to phase out Russian gas and LNG by the end of 2027 and insists on resuming Russian oil imports through Ukraine. As a follow-up to our first webinar (8 April) on the energy aspects of Hungary’s 2026 election, this webinar will explore the entanglements of Hungarian energy infrastructure with major actors outside the EU. We will examine the interests at stake, how the programmes
The upcoming parliamentary elections in Hungary on April 12, 2026, are taking place in a complex geopolitical landscape where the country's energy infrastructure has become a focal point for global influence. Major powers like China, the United States, and Russia are vying for a stake in Hungary's energy policies, raising concerns about external interference as the European Union (EU) aims to curb such influences. To help journalists prepare for the election coverage, Clean Energy Wire (CLEW) is organizing a webinar on April 9, 2026, titled "China, Russia, and Orbán’s energy gambit: how foreign powers are redrawing Hungary’s role on the EU stage."
The webinar will delve into the intricate relationships between Hungary's energy sector and the global actors shaping its trajectory. China has already made significant investments in Hungary, including the completion of the Budapest-Belgrade railway, a major EU infrastructure project, and the construction of its largest overseas battery factory in the country. Meanwhile, the United States has signed a civil nuclear energy cooperation agreement with Budapest, while Russia is pushing forward with plans to expand Hungary's only nuclear power plant, Paks II.
Orbán's government has taken a stance that contrasts with EU goals, rejecting plans to phase out Russian gas and LNG by the end of 2027 and insisting on resuming Russian oil imports through Ukraine. This positioning raises questions about Hungary's role within the EU and its energy policies' alignment with European climate objectives.
The webinar will serve as a follow-up to CLEW's first event on April 8, 2026, which focused on the energy aspects of Hungary's elections. This second webinar will explore the entanglements of Hungary's energy infrastructure with major non-EU actors, examining the competing interests at stake and how they influence Hungary's energy policies. Participants will also discuss the differing positions of the competing political parties on geopolitical questions and their implications for Europe's climate and energy future.
The webinar, open to journalists worldwide, will feature expert speakers and a moderated discussion. The agenda includes a welcome and introduction by Boris Schneider of Clean Energy Wire, followed by presentations on individual topics and a Q&A session for open discussion. The event will provide valuable insights into the complex interplay of global powers and Hungary's energy landscape, offering journalists a deeper understanding of the challenges and implications for Europe's energy transition.
As Hungary's elections approach, the webinar aims to equip journalists with the knowledge needed to cover the energy-related issues shaping the country's political landscape and their broader European context. With the EU's focus on reducing external interference in energy policies, understanding the dynamics between Hungary, China, the United States, and Russia is crucial for crafting informed narratives about the future of Europe's energy security and climate goals.
The webinar is supported by Journalismfund Europe, highlighting the importance of robust journalism in covering complex geopolitical issues. By bringing together experts and journalists, CLEW's event will foster a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between Hungary's energy sector and the global powers vying for influence, providing valuable insights for those covering the upcoming elections and their implications for the EU.
