Hungary Secures One-Year Sanctions Exemption to Continue Purchasing Russian Oil

Hungarian President Viktor Orbán secured a significant victory during his visit to the White House, where he met with U.S. President Donald Trump. Following the meeting, a White House official confirmed that the United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions, allowing the country to continue purchasing Russian oil without facing penalties.

Orbán emphasized the necessity of Hungarian reliance on Russian oil and natural gas during his discussions with Trump on Friday, November 7th. He urged the U.S. to provide sanctions relief, arguing that Hungary's energy needs are deeply intertwined with Russian supplies. This comes amid broader tensions as Trump had previously canceled a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary due to stalled peace talks over the Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the U.S. imposed 'severe sanctions' on major Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil last month.

The friendly and constructive tone of the Orbán-Trump meeting underscored their long-standing rapport. Orbán highlighted Hungary's unique circumstances, stressing that ceasing Russian energy imports would have severe consequences for both the Hungarian people and economy. He pointed out that Hungary lacks access to significant maritime resources or ports, making it heavily dependent on land-based energy supplies.

President Trump acknowledged these challenges, stating, 'We are considering this because his situation is different... They don't have the same advantages as countries with ocean access.' Orbán also discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict during the meeting, with both leaders sharing perspectives on its potential resolution. When asked if Ukraine could win the war, Orbán replied optimistically, 'Miracles can happen.'

As part of the agreement, Hungary has pledged to purchase approximately $600 million worth of liquefied natural gas from the United States. This move aims to diversify Hungary's energy sources while maintaining its critical ties to Russian supplies.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Hungary has faced criticism from both the EU and NATO allies for its continued reliance on Russian energy imports. Data from the International Monetary Fund indicates that as of 2024, a staggering 74% of Hungary's natural gas and 86% of its oil come directly from Russia.