The United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on importing oil and gas from Russia following Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. The decision came after Orbán emphasized his nation’s dependence on Russian energy and the economic challenges of sourcing fuel elsewhere.
Trump, acknowledging Hungary’s landlocked geography, expressed understanding of its reliance on Russian supplies while encouraging broader European efforts to reduce dependence on Moscow. As part of the deal, Hungary agreed to purchase $600 million worth of US liquefied natural gas and nuclear fuel, strengthening bilateral economic ties.
The two leaders also showcased their political alignment on issues like immigration, with Trump praising Orbán’s strict border policies and calling him a “great leader.” Orbán, in turn, lauded Trump’s return to office and criticized the previous US administration, pledging a “new golden age” in US-Hungary relations.
Orbán reiterated his desire to facilitate a future meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing hope for renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.