WASHINGTON, 8 November (H.S.): President Donald Trump has indicated he is considering a significant exemption for Hungary from sanctions targeting Russian oil, a move that would carve out an exception for one of his closest European allies. The statement came during a White House visit on Friday by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, where Trump acknowledged the landlocked nation's logistical challenges in securing alternative energy sources.
During the meeting, President Trump expressed sympathy for Hungary's position, noting, it's very difficult for him [Orban] to get the oil and gas from other areas due to the country's lack of sea access. This consideration comes just a month after the United States effectively blacklisted two of Russia's largest oil companies, threatening sanctions against their customers in an effort to curtail Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine.
Following the discussion, Hungary's foreign minister stated on social media that the U.S. had granted a full and unlimited exemption from sanctions on oil and gas, though the White House later clarified it was a one-year exemption.
Prime Minister Orban has long defended his nation's energy relationship with Moscow, framing the reliance on Russian pipelines not as an ideological choice but as a physical reality. This stance is a cornerstone of his political platform, as he campaigns for re-election on the promise of cheap Russian energy for Hungarian voters.
Despite clashing with European Union leaders on various issues, Orban has maintained a strong rapport with Trump, who praised the Hungarian leader's hardline stance on immigration.
The two leaders also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Trump suggesting that Orban's familiarity with Russian President Vladimir Putin could be instrumental in ending the conflict in the not-too-distant future. Orban asserted that only their two nations genuinely seek peace, claiming other governments mistakenly believe Ukraine can achieve a military victory.
This potential sanctions waiver underscores the complex interplay of geopolitical alliances, energy security, and international pressure campaigns in the current global landscape.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
