Trump Administration Grants Hungary Exemption from Russian energy Sanctions
WASHINGTON D.C. – November 7, 2025 – In a move sparking international scrutiny, the United States has granted Hungary a full and unlimited exemption from sanctions targeting Russian oil and gas, according to a statement from Hungarian foreign Minister Péter szijjártó. The decision, announced following a meeting between President Donald Trump and hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, “guarantees Hungary’s energy security,” Szijjártó stated on social media.
the exemption comes as other nations, including allies like India, grapple with a recent shift in US policy threatening punitive measures for continued purchases of Russian energy.
During the meeting, Orbán also announced Hungary will procure nuclear fuel from US-based Westinghouse Electric Company to power its Paks nuclear plant. However, Hungarian officials clarified that the country will continue to purchase Russian nuclear fuel alongside the new US supply.
Trump acknowledged the difficulty Hungary faces in sourcing energy alternatives, stating, “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 the sea.” He also expressed dissatisfaction with continued Russian energy purchases by other European nations.
Orbán, frequently enough viewed as sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has frequently been an impediment to European Union efforts to increase pressure on Moscow regarding the war in Ukraine. He told Trump that the EU’s pursuit of “total victory” in ukraine is unrealistic, suggesting a “miracle” would be needed for Ukraine to win the conflict.
The concession to hungary arrives amid economic challenges for the nation, stemming from US tariffs imposed on the EU. Securing access to Russian energy resources could provide a political boost for Orbán domestically.
This decision aligns with a pattern of Trump leveraging US influence to benefit political allies abroad, as seen in recent dealings with Argentina and other nations.
