US President Donald Trump has given Hungary a temporary one-year exemption from sanctions tied to purchases of Russian oil and gas. The confirmation came shortly after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited the White House for high-level discussions.
Orban, one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe, has continued buying Russian energy throughout the war in Ukraine. His government has long argued that Hungary has no easy alternatives because it is a landlocked country without direct access to seaports. Trump echoed that concern during the meeting, saying that it would be “very difficult” for Hungary to get energy supplies elsewhere.
Just weeks ago, the US had effectively blacklisted two of Russia’s largest state-owned oil companies and threatened penalties for anyone doing business with them. That made Hungary’s reliance on Russian energy particularly risky, and Orban warned that sanctions would severely damage his country’s already struggling economy.
After the meeting, the Hungarian government celebrated what it described as a complete exemption from sanctions, though US officials clarified that the waiver will last for one year. As part of the arrangement, Hungary plans to purchase hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of US natural gas — a move that may not sit well with other European countries already frustrated by Budapest’s friendly relationship with Moscow.
Trump’s decision appears to reward Orban’s long-standing political loyalty. Orban has often aligned himself with Trump’s positions on immigration and national identity, and he is now entering a difficult election season in Hungary where cheap, steady Russian energy remains a key promise to voters.
During their talks, the two leaders also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump suggested that Orban has a strong understanding of Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed hope that the conflict could move toward an end soon. Orban, however, argued that most European governments still believe Ukraine can win on the battlefield — a view he dismissed as unrealistic, though he added that “a miracle can happen.”
Despite support from Trump, Hungary continues to face economic challenges, including the impact of US tariffs on European goods that have harmed Hungary’s car manufacturing sector. Trump, however, urged European leaders to show more respect to Orban, praising his hard-line positions on immigration.