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Trump Turns Down Hungary’s Russian Oil Exemption Request
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has turned down Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s request to shield Hungary from sanctions targeting Russian oil firms.
Orban told media on Friday that he plans to appeal directly to Trump during his upcoming Washington visit to secure relief from US sanctions on Russian energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, which are key suppliers of oil to Central Europe.
The US blacklisted both companies last week, citing Moscow’s insufficient commitment to the Ukraine peace process. Hungary has repeatedly emphasized that Russian oil and gas are essential to its energy security.
Asked about Orban’s request while aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “He has asked for an exemption, but we have not granted one.”
“He is a friend of mine,” Trump added, before suggesting reporters move on to other topics.
Orban explained to media that Hungary, being landlocked, has no practical alternatives to Russian oil, warning that replacing it could trigger an economic crisis. “We have to make the Americans understand this peculiar situation... if we want them to allow exemptions from the American sanctions against Russia,” he said.
The Hungarian leader also announced that he will lead a “large delegation” of ministers, economic officials, and security advisers to Washington on November 7 to finalize an economic cooperation package with the US. He emphasized that any agreement would hinge on continued access to Russian energy supplies.
Hungary, which has maintained neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, faces mounting pressure within the European Union to cut its dependence on Russian oil and gas, as the bloc plans to phase out such imports by 2028.
A close Trump ally in the EU, Orban visited the US multiple times during last year’s presidential campaign to support the former president. In recent months, he has praised Trump’s efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the US sanctions on Russian oil firms as an “unfriendly move” but asserted they would not significantly affect Russia’s economy.
Orban told media on Friday that he plans to appeal directly to Trump during his upcoming Washington visit to secure relief from US sanctions on Russian energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, which are key suppliers of oil to Central Europe.
The US blacklisted both companies last week, citing Moscow’s insufficient commitment to the Ukraine peace process. Hungary has repeatedly emphasized that Russian oil and gas are essential to its energy security.
Asked about Orban’s request while aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “He has asked for an exemption, but we have not granted one.”
“He is a friend of mine,” Trump added, before suggesting reporters move on to other topics.
Orban explained to media that Hungary, being landlocked, has no practical alternatives to Russian oil, warning that replacing it could trigger an economic crisis. “We have to make the Americans understand this peculiar situation... if we want them to allow exemptions from the American sanctions against Russia,” he said.
The Hungarian leader also announced that he will lead a “large delegation” of ministers, economic officials, and security advisers to Washington on November 7 to finalize an economic cooperation package with the US. He emphasized that any agreement would hinge on continued access to Russian energy supplies.
Hungary, which has maintained neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, faces mounting pressure within the European Union to cut its dependence on Russian oil and gas, as the bloc plans to phase out such imports by 2028.
A close Trump ally in the EU, Orban visited the US multiple times during last year’s presidential campaign to support the former president. In recent months, he has praised Trump’s efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the US sanctions on Russian oil firms as an “unfriendly move” but asserted they would not significantly affect Russia’s economy.
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