Trump Weighs Hungary’s Request to Bypass Russian Energy Sanctions/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with President Trump to request an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy. Trump said the request is under consideration due to Hungary’s landlocked status and energy dependence. The meeting comes amid growing U.S. bipartisan pressure on Hungary to cut ties with Russian fuel sources.
Trump-Hungary Energy Talks + Quick Looks
- President Donald Trump is reviewing Hungary’s appeal to exempt the country from Russian energy sanctions.
- Orbán emphasized Hungary’s geographical limitations and lack of alternative energy routes.
- A bipartisan group of U.S. senators issued a resolution urging Hungary to align with the EU’s goal to phase out Russian energy by 2027.
- Hungary’s foreign minister announced a nuclear energy deal with the U.S. to reduce reliance on Russian fuel.
- Orbán also met with right-wing allies in Washington, signaling broader ideological solidarity.
Trump Weighs Hungary’s Request to Bypass Russian Energy Sanctions
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that he is “looking at” granting Hungary a U.S. sanctions exemption on Russian energy imports, following a high-profile meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the White House. The request, Trump noted, is rooted in Hungary’s landlocked position and its resulting difficulties securing alternative energy supplies.
Orbán Pushes for Sanctions Relief
“This is vital for us,” Orbán said ahead of the meeting, underscoring the impact U.S. sanctions could have on Hungary’s economy and energy stability. Speaking earlier on state radio, Orbán stressed that he would present Trump with “suggestions” for how to implement an exemption, positioning it not as a favor but a necessary policy adjustment.
“I’m not asking for a gift,” Orbán stated. “I’m asking for acknowledgment that sanctions on Russian energy put landlocked countries like Hungary in an impossible situation.”
Orbán’s administration brought an unusually large delegation to Washington, including cabinet officials, business leaders, and conservative influencers aligned with Hungary’s government. They arrived on a chartered 220-seat plane from Hungarian airline Wizz Air, indicating the visit’s significance.
Bipartisan Pressure from U.S. Lawmakers
Orbán’s visit came just one day after a bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators introduced a resolution pressing Hungary to end its dependence on Russian fossil fuels. The resolution, backed by ten senators — including Republican stalwarts Mitch McConnell, Chuck Grassley, and Thom Tillis, alongside Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons — accuses Hungary of undermining NATO and EU efforts to reduce reliance on Moscow.
“Europe is making historic progress in cutting its energy ties to Russia,” said Senator Shaheen. “Hungary’s behavior sends the wrong message and weakens our collective security.”
The resolution calls on Hungary to adhere to the European Union’s energy plan, which aims to halt all Russian energy imports by the end of 2027.
U.S.-Hungary Nuclear Deal Advances
Despite the controversy over Russian energy, Hungary is taking steps to diversify its fuel sources. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, speaking from Washington, confirmed that he plans to sign a landmark nuclear energy agreement with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The agreement will mark Hungary’s first purchase of American nuclear fuel, replacing Russian sources currently used at the Paks nuclear power plant. It will also introduce U.S. technology for storing spent fuel and advance cooperation on small modular nuclear reactors — a move widely seen as an effort to distance Hungary from Russian nuclear dependency.
Political Signaling and Ideological Alliances
Orbán’s U.S. visit also carried strong political overtones. The Hungarian leader met with Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison earlier this year for attempting to overturn an election.
Orbán posted a message of solidarity online: “We stand firmly with the Bolsonaros in these challenging times. Friends and allies who never give up. Keep fighting: political witch-hunts have no place in democracy, truth and justice must prevail.”
This comment adds to the Hungarian government’s pattern of aligning itself with global far-right figures, many of whom share Orbán’s skepticism of liberal democratic institutions and mainstream Western policies.
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