Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Friday his intention to discuss with US President Donald Trump potential exemptions for Hungary from the recently imposed sanctions targeting Russian oil. Prime Minister Orbán is scheduled to meet with President Trump next week.
The Trump administration has recently introduced sanctions against prominent Russian state-affiliated oil companies, including Rosneft and Lukoil. These measures may expose foreign buyers, such as those in India, China, and Central Europe, to secondary sanctions.
While the majority of European Union member states have significantly reduced or completely halted their imports of Russian fossil fuels following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Hungary and Slovakia have continued to receive oil through existing pipelines. Hungary has even increased its reliance on Russian oil as part of its energy mix.
As a close ally of President Trump, Prime Minister Orbán asserts that Hungary, being a landlocked nation, has limited viable alternatives to Russian crude oil. He argues that transitioning away from these supplies could lead to severe economic repercussions. This perspective, however, has been criticised by various observers.
In a statement made during an interview with state radio, Orbán emphasised the importance of helping US policymakers understand Hungary’s unique circumstances in order to seek exceptions to the American sanctions impacting Russia. Despite the ongoing conflict, Orbán has maintained positive relations with the Kremlin and has taken a firm stance regarding Ukraine, portraying it as a significant threat to Hungary’s security and economy.
The Prime Minister noted that both the US administration and Moscow desire to end the conflict; however, he identified Ukraine and the EU as key impediments to achieving peace.
During his visit to Washington, Orbán will be accompanied by a huge delegation of ministers, economic officials, and security advisors, aimed at conducting a comprehensive review of US-Hungarian relations. He articulated Budapest’s aim to finalise an economic cooperation package with the United States, which would include attracting new American investments to Hungary. However, he underscored that any agreement will hinge on ensuring Hungary’s continued access to Russian energy resources.
This article used information from The Associated Press
