US Grants Hungary Full Exemption From Russian Oil Sanctions During Trump-Orban White House Meeting

US President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met at the White House on Friday, where Trump granted Hungary a full exemption from Russian oil sanctions.

During their cordial meeting in Washington, the two right-wing leaders exchanged mutual praise as Trump provided Hungary with a significant concession regarding Russian energy imports.

Prime Minister Orban made controversial remarks about Ukraine's conflict with Russia, stating that it would require a "miracle" for Ukraine to defeat Moscow, highlighting his divergence from mainstream European positions on the war.

Trump strongly endorsed Orban's controversial immigration policies and urged European Union leaders to show greater respect for the Hungarian leader, saying "he's been right on immigration."

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced the major outcome of the meeting on social media: "The United States has granted Hungary a full and unlimited exemption from sanctions on oil and gas. We are grateful for this decision, which guarantees Hungary's energy security."

Trump explained his rationale for the exemption, noting that Hungary's landlocked geography creates dependency on Russian pipelines. "As you know they don't have the advantage of having sea," Trump told reporters.

Orban reinforced this point, stating: "Pipeline is not an ideological or political issue. It's a physical reality because we don't have port(s)."

Hungary, which maintains close relationships with both Trump and the Kremlin, had previously offered to host a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest. However, Trump canceled this proposed meeting in October due to frustrations with Putin's continued invasion of Ukraine.

The Trump administration recently sanctioned Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, giving firms doing business with these entities one month to sever ties or face secondary sanctions that would restrict their access to US financial institutions and services.

Analysts suggest this White House meeting provides Orban with at least a "symbolic" victory as he faces unprecedented challenges to his 15-year leadership ahead of elections next spring, amid economic stagnation in Hungary.

Although Orban visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago three times last year, Trump's return to power has had mixed implications for Hungary. While Washington removed sanctions against top Orban aide Antal Rogan and restored Hungary's visa waiver status, Trump's tariffs against the European Union have severely impacted Hungary's export-dependent automotive industry.

Daniel Hegedus, Central Europe director at the German Marshall Fund, had predicted Trump would show flexibility regarding the oil sanctions request, saying: "I expect Trump will give a victory to Orban that he can sell at home and strengthens his position, as the administration actively supports political forces that divide the EU."

Orban, who has consistently refused to provide military aid to Ukraine and opposes Kyiv's EU membership bid, has frequently clashed with Brussels over rule of law issues and other policy matters.