Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that Hungary has secured an exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas, following a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. The waiver allows Hungary to continue importing Russian crude and natural gas via the TurkStream pipeline and the Druzhba oil network, despite the broader sanctions targeting Moscow’s energy sector.
In exchange, Hungary agreed to purchase US liquefied natural gas (LNG) under contracts worth approximately 600 million dollars, the US State Department confirmed. The two countries also pledged to expand cooperation in nuclear energy, including development of small modular reactors (SMRs). Orbán further announced that Hungary will begin buying nuclear fuel from Westinghouse Electric, gradually reducing dependence on Russian suppliers for its Paks nuclear power plant.
While Orbán described the deal as a “full waiver” essential for Hungary’s energy security, a senior White House official later clarified that the exemption would be valid for one year only.
Hungary remains under intensifying EU pressure to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on Russian imports. Most EU member states have already cut or phased out Russian oil and gas purchases as part of collective efforts to limit Moscow’s war financing amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
