The US president has denied Budapest’s request for exemption from sanctions targeting Russian oil.
Donald Trump, the US President, has turned down a request from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to exempt Hungary from sanctions imposed on Russian oil.
In a Friday interview with Kossuth Radio, Orban had stated his intention to lobby Trump during his upcoming Washington visit for an exemption from sanctions affecting Russian energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, key oil suppliers to Central Europe.
The US recently blacklisted these two companies, citing Moscow’s insufficient commitment to the Ukraine peace process. Hungary has consistently emphasized the critical importance of Russian oil and gas for its energy security.
When questioned by reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged Orban’s request, stating, “has asked for an exemption, but we have not granted one.”
“He is a friend of mine,” he said, before redirecting the journalists to other topics.
Orban explained to Kossuth Radio that Hungary, being landlocked, lacks feasible alternatives to Russian oil and that replacing it would lead to an economic crisis.
“We have to make the Americans understand this peculiar situation… if we want them to allow exemptions from the American sanctions against Russia,” he declared.
The Hungarian Prime Minister announced plans to bring a “large delegation” of ministers, economic officials, and security advisors to Washington on November 7 to finalize an economic cooperation agreement with the US. However, he emphasized that the agreement hinges on continued access to Russian oil and gas.
Hungary, which has remained neutral regarding the Ukraine conflict, is also facing increasing pressure within the EU to decrease its reliance on Russian energy, as the bloc aims to completely eliminate oil and gas imports from Russia by 2028.
Orban, a significant Trump ally within the EU, visited the US on multiple occasions during last year’s presidential campaign to show support for his candidacy. More recently, he has commended the US president’s efforts to de-escalate the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
President Vladimir Putin previously characterized the US sanctions on Russian oil companies as an “unfriendly move,” while maintaining they would not significantly affect the Russian economy.
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