BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Friday that he plans to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to grant Hungary exemptions from newly imposed U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil. Orbán is scheduled to meet Trump next week for his first bilateral meeting since retaking office in January 2023.
The Trump administration previously unveiled sanctions against major Russian state-affiliated oil firms, specifically Rosneft and Lukoil. These sanctions pose a significant risk to foreign buyers, including those in India, China, and Central Europe, who may face secondary sanctions as a result.
In response to the geopolitical landscape following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, most European Union member states curtailed or stopped imports of Russian fossil fuels. However, Hungary and Slovakia have continued to receive Russian oil via pipeline, with Hungary even increasing the proportion of Russian oil in its energy mix.
Orbán, who has positioned himself as an ally of Trump, has consistently argued that Hungary, being landlocked, has no viable alternatives to Russian crude oil. He asserts that a sudden shift from these supplies could precipitate an economic collapse for the nation. This stance has been met with skepticism from critics, who dispute the viability of his claims.
Orbán expressed the need for the U.S. to comprehend Hungary’s unique circumstances to facilitate exceptions to the American sanctions impacting Russia. "We have to make the Americans understand this strange situation if we want exceptions to the American sanctions that are hitting Russia," he was quoted saying during his remarks to state radio.
Despite ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, Orbán has maintained amicable relations with the Kremlin and adopted a confrontational attitude towards Ukraine, labeling the neighboring country as a significant threat to Hungary’s security and economy. He stated that both the U.S. administration and Moscow are seeking an end to the war, but he holds the view that Ukraine and the European Union are the primary barriers to peace.
Plans for a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest were recently scrapped after Russian officials expressed their opposition to an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
For his forthcoming trip to Washington, Orbán announced he would be accompanied by a large delegation of ministers, economic officials, and security advisors. This delegation aims to conduct a comprehensive review of U.S.-Hungarian relations. Orbán mentioned that Budapest is hopeful for an economic cooperation package with the U.S., which includes plans for new American investments in Hungary.
However, the Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that any potential agreements depend significantly on securing Hungary’s continued access to Russian energy resources.
