US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would consider granting Hungary an exemption from sanctions on Russian oil imports, during talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the White House.
The meeting marked the pair’s first since Trump’s return to office in January, as both leaders emphasised their shared stance on nationalism, conservative social policies, and border security. However, Hungary’s heavy reliance on Russian energy remains a sticking point between Washington and Budapest.
Trump acknowledged Hungary’s geographic limitations, noting that the landlocked country faces challenges in securing energy supplies from alternative sources. “Sure, we’re looking at it, because it’s very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas,” Trump said. “They don’t have sea access, they don’t have ports, so they have a difficult problem.”
The visit followed Hungary’s offer to host a now-cancelled Ukraine summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US imposed sanctions last month on Russia’s two largest oil companies amid Trump’s growing frustration with Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Hungary, one of the Kremlin’s closest allies within the European Union, remains heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas despite EU efforts to reduce energy reliance on Moscow.
Orban, who has often bucked the rest of the European Union on pressuring Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, said that Russian energy was vital for his country.
The Hungarian leader said he would explain to Trump the "consequences" for Hungarian people without Russian oil and gas.
"Because we are supplied by pipelines. Pipeline is not an ideological or political issue. It's a physical reality because we don't have port(s)," Orban said.
Orban -- who was accompanied by a large delegation that includes six ministers -- said before the meeting that "I have to achieve results" on the oil sanctions.
Experts say the meeting with the US president was expected to give at least a "symbolic" win to Orban, who faces an unprecedented challenge to his 15-year rule ahead of elections next spring amid economic stagnation.
Trump told European Union leaders to show more respect to Orban, who has thumbed his nose at them over migration.
"I think they should respect Hungary and respect this leader very, very strongly because he's been right on immigration," Trump told reporters.
Trump, who has carried out a sweeping crackdown on immigration at home, again alleged a link between migrants and crime, which is not backed up by statistics in the United States.
With inputs from agencies
