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Trump also called on EU leaders to show greater respect towards Orban, praising the Hungarian leader’s tough stance on immigration
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Donald Trump told Viktor Orban he may exempt Hungary from sanctions on Russian oil purchases due to Hungary’s lack of sea access and difficulty sourcing oil and gas elsewhere.
US President Donald Trump welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the White House in Washington. (AP file photo)
US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he is considering granting Hungary an exemption from sanctions on Russian oil purchases, acknowledging the country’s dependence on Moscow for energy supplies.
Speaking alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House, Trump told reporters, “We are looking at it because it is very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas. As you know they don’t have the advantage of having sea.”
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During the meeting, Trump also called on European Union leaders to show greater respect towards Orban, praising the Hungarian leader’s tough stance on immigration.
“I think they should respect Hungary and respect this leader very, very strongly because he’s been right on immigration,” Trump said, referring to Orban’s long-standing opposition to accepting migrants and refugees.
Trump welcomed Orban to the White House at midday for what was their first bilateral meeting since the Republican leader returned to power in January. The two men share similar views on border security, conservative social policies, and nationalism, though Hungary’s close energy ties with Russia remain a point of contention.
Energy Dependence In Focus
Hungary has continued to rely heavily on Russian oil and gas since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, a stance that has drawn criticism from several EU and NATO allies. Orban has defended his country’s position, arguing that its landlocked geography makes it difficult to access alternative energy sources.
Ahead of the White House talks, Hungarian officials said Orban planned to seek a pathway towards US-Russia dialogue and push for exemptions from American energy sanctions.
Trump has repeatedly urged European countries to cut purchases of Russian energy as a way to weaken Moscow’s ability to finance its war. However, he signalled on Friday that Hungary’s circumstances may warrant special consideration.
Last month, Trump said he was open to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, though that meeting has been delayed after Moscow rejected a proposed ceasefire plan.
(With inputs from agencies)
General About the Author
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…
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First Published:
November 07, 2025, 23:33 IST
News world ‘We Are Looking At It’: Trump Says He May Exempt Hungary From Russian Oil Sanctions
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