President Donald Trump said he would consider granting Hungary a carve-out from sanctions on Russian oil during a meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House. The visit marked Orban’s first official trip to Washington since Trump’s return to power and followed his proposal to host a Ukraine summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was later canceled.
Trump told reporters that Hungary faced challenges in securing alternative energy sources, citing its lack of access to seaports. “It is very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas,” Trump said. The U.S. recently imposed sanctions on Russia’s largest oil companies as tensions over the invasion of Ukraine intensified.
Hungary, a key EU ally of both Trump and the Kremlin, relies heavily on Russian energy despite EU efforts to reduce dependence. Orban emphasized the “consequences” for Hungarian citizens if Russian oil and gas were cut off, stating, “Pipeline is not an ideological or political issue. It’s a physical reality because we don’t have ports.”
Orban, accompanied by six ministers, framed the meeting as critical for addressing energy security ahead of elections next spring. He also urged Trump to show respect for Hungary’s immigration policies, which have clashed with EU standards. Trump reiterated his support for Orban, claiming he has “been right on immigration,” despite lacking statistical evidence linking migrants to crime.
Experts suggest the meeting could yield a symbolic outcome for Orban, who faces political challenges at home. While Trump’s administration lifted sanctions on an Orban aide and restored Hungary’s visa waiver status, U.S. tariffs on EU goods have hurt Hungary’s car industry. Analysts noted Trump’s willingness to support allies, with one stating, “There surely will be some kind of symbolic result that can be communicated by both parties.”
Orban has consistently resisted EU pressure over Ukraine and European Union integration, drawing criticism from Brussels over governance issues. The visit highlighted deepening ties between Trump and Hungary’s leader amid broader geopolitical tensions.
