Trump dismisses Orban’s request to exempt Hungary from sanctions
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has turned down Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s appeal to exempt Hungary from sanctions targeting Russian oil companies.
Orban told Kossuth Radio on Friday that he would seek relief for Hungary during his upcoming Washington visit, citing the sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, which supply oil to Central Europe. The US imposed the restrictions last week, accusing Moscow of failing to engage in the Ukraine peace process. Hungary has repeatedly emphasized that Russian energy is crucial for its national security.
Later, aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters that Orban “has asked for an exemption, but we have not granted one.” He added, “He is a friend of mine,” while moving on to other questions.
Orban highlighted Hungary’s unique challenges as a landlocked nation, saying alternatives to Russian oil are limited and replacing it could trigger 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 said.
The Hungarian prime minister said he plans to bring a “large delegation” of ministers, economic officials, and security advisers to Washington on November 7 to finalize an economic cooperation package with the US, emphasizing that access to Russian energy would be key to any deal.
Hungary, which has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, faces mounting EU pressure to reduce reliance on Russian oil and gas, with the bloc aiming to phase out such imports by 2028.
Orban, a close US ally within the EU, supported Trump during last year’s presidential campaign and has praised the US president’s efforts to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin described the US sanctions as an “unfriendly move” but said they would not significantly affect Russia’s economy.
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