WASHINGTON: The United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions linked to Russian oil and gas, the White House confirmed Friday. The decision came after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made a direct appeal to President Donald Trump during their friendly meeting in Washington.
The exemption follows sanctions Trump imposed last month on major Russian energy companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, as part of efforts to pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine. Those sanctions also threatened penalties for countries continuing to import oil from the targeted firms.
During his talks with Trump, Orban emphasized Hungary’s heavy dependence on Russian energy, calling it essential for the economy and daily life. “We have no sea, no ports, and limited alternatives,” he said. Trump appeared understanding, noting that Hungary’s geographic limitations make energy diversification more difficult than in other European nations.
As part of the agreement, Hungary will purchase US liquefied natural gas worth around $600 million. Despite criticism from some EU and NATO members, Hungary has maintained its reliance on Russian energy, which in 2024 accounted for roughly 74 per cent of its gas and 86 per cent of its oil imports, according to IMF data.
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