Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is scheduled to visit the White House on Friday to meet US President Donald Trump. The key topic will be Hungary’s dependence on Russian energy and the impact of recent US sanctions on Russian oil.
Orban is requesting an exemption from the US sanctions, warning Hungarian officials that a sudden halt to Russian energy imports could severely disrupt the national economy.
Hungary has shown little progress in reducing its reliance on Russian oil and gas since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. This stands in contrast to most of its European Union and NATO neighbors.
US officials, including NATO Ambassador Matt Whitaker, have criticized Hungary for its lack of planning and action to reduce energy dependence, while offering US support for energy diversification.
The delegation aims to secure firm commitments from the US, such as an exemption for Russian oil imports and enhanced cooperation on energy and economic fronts between the two countries.
However, granting these exemptions faces considerable challenges in Washington.
The recent election victory for Orban raises questions about what Europe can learn from his approach in Hungary’s political landscape.
“What can Europe learn from Orban's victory in Hungary's elections?”
Summary: Viktor Orban seeks US support to secure exemptions from sanctions on Russian oil, highlighting Hungary’s unique energy dependency and aiming to deepen US-Hungary cooperation amid significant diplomatic obstacles.