US President Donald Trump has granted Hungary an exemption from sanctions for buying oil from Russia. This move is considered crucial for Hungary's energy security, as the country cannot import oil by sea and is entirely dependent on pipelines.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has granted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán an exemption from sanctions imposed on buying oil from Russia. This announcement was made during a meeting between the two leaders at the White House, where Trump and Orbán openly praised each other. This meeting marked Orbán's first visit to the White House since Trump's return to power. During the meeting, Orbán stated that it would be a miracle for Ukraine to defeat Russia, highlighting clear differences between his stance and that of other European leaders.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó described this meeting and exemption as a significant achievement for the country. He stated that this step is extremely important for Hungary's energy security and will help protect the country from an energy crisis.
Why Did Trump Grant Hungary an Exemption?
President Trump explained that the relief was granted considering Hungary's geographical location. Hungary has no sea access and receives its oil and gas supplies solely via pipelines. Therefore, imposing sanctions on buying oil from Russia could have been risky for the country's energy security. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly stated that importing energy from Russia is a physical necessity for them, not a political or ideological issue.
He opposed the European Union's pressure regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine and insisted that the flow of energy via pipelines is essential for his country. Experts believe that this move could prove beneficial for Hungary on both domestic and international fronts.
Hungary and its Impact on the European Union
Hungary is considered a close ally of both the European Union and Russia. Hungary had previously offered to host a summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest, but Trump canceled the meeting in October due to escalating tensions over Ukraine. However, the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on two major Russian oil companies — Rosneft and Lukoil — and instructed American companies to sever ties with them.
Experts believe that this meeting is a symbolic victory for Orbán. Trump appealed to EU leaders to show more respect for Hungary and its Prime Minister. He stated, "Hungary and its leader should be respected because they have taken the right stance on issues such as migration."
