In brief
President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to consider Hungary's request for an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy during a meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán emphasized that the sanctions pose a vital challenge for Hungary, a landlocked country struggling to find alternative energy sources. The discussion took place against the backdrop of a bipartisan call from U.S. senators urging Hungary to reduce its dependency on Russian fossil fuels. Orbán arrived in Washington with a delegation of influential Hungarian officials and is set to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with the U.S.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said on Friday he’s considering granting Hungary an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy as he sat down with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the White House. “We’re looking at it because it's very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas,” Trump stated.
Orbán emphasized that this is a “vital” issue for Hungary and planned to discuss the “consequences for the Hungarian people” if the sanctions were to take effect.
In his comments, Orbán mentioned that he would present Trump with several “suggestions” regarding the exemption implementation. “I’m not asking for some kind of gift from the Americans. I am simply asking for the realization that the sanctions recently imposed put landlocked countries like Hungary in an impossible situation,” he shared.
A significant delegation, including cabinet members, business leaders, and political influencers connected to Hungary’s government, accompanied Orbán to Washington, with a chartered commercial jet for travel.
Before Orbán's arrival, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a resolution urging Hungary to decrease its reliance on Russian energy. The resolution was co-signed by senators across party lines, expressing concern about Hungary not showing signs of reducing its dependence on fossil fuels from Russia.
On Friday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced plans to sign a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation agreement with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marking Hungary’s first purchase of American nuclear fuel, previously imported from Russia.
After arriving, Orbán and his team met with Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Orbán took to social media to express solidarity with the Bolsonaros during challenging times, stating that “political witch-hunts have no place in democracy.”
