UnpressAI | uk/en

08 Nov 2025, 15:41

The USA has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on the import of energy

  • Hungary has received a one-year exemption from US sanctions
  • The Orbán government will continue to import Russian energy
  • Hungary has agreed to purchase LNG from the USA for 600 million dollars

This is reported by NBC News, RBC Ukraine.

The United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on the use of Russian energy resources. This decision was made during the visit of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Washington, which took place on November 7, 2025. Orbán sought to obtain an exemption, as Hungary is a significant importer of Russian energy.

US President Donald Trump, who initiated sanctions against Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft, explained that it is important for Hungary to maintain access to Russian oil, considering that the country has no access to the sea and limited alternative supply routes.

In response to the granted exemption, Hungary has agreed to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the USA for approximately 600 million dollars. According to data from the International Monetary Fund, Hungary received 74% of its gas and 86% of its oil from Russia in 2024. If gas supplies from Russia are cut off, the country could lose over 4% of its GDP.

Orbán also discussed with Trump the war in Russia against Ukraine, noting that "something wonderful could happen" in resolving the conflict. This decision by the USA has sparked criticism among EU and NATO allies, as many of them believe that the continuation of energy imports from Russia is problematic.

Tags: USA/Politics/Energy

Articles on this topic:

  • newsukraine.rbc.ua - US grants Hungary one-year exemption from sanctions over Russian energy imports
  • www.nbcnews.com - Trump boosts Hungary's far-right Orbán with Russian energy sanctions carve-out
  • www.aljazeera.com - Hungary claims ‘indefinite’ US sanctions waiver for Russian energy imports
  • www.bbc.com - What Hungary's Orban did - and didn't - get from Trump
  • newsukraine.rbc.ua - Hungary says it received unlimited exemption from US sanctions for Russian energy