U.S.-Hungary civil nuclear pact accelerates shift away from Russian fuel
The United States and Hungary signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement on Feb. 16, 2026, committing Budapest to purchase U.S. nuclear fuel and enlisting U.S. firms, including Holtec International, for spent-fuel work. The pact positions Hungary as a potential regional hub for small modular reactor (SMR) projects but leaves open critical questions about financing, licensing and regulatory capacity that will determine whether the agreement produces lasting market shifts.