Sat Nov 08 20:46:42 UTC 2025: ## Hungary Claims Indefinite Exemption from US Sanctions on Russian Energy, US Contradicts

Budapest/Washington – A dispute has erupted between Hungary and the United States regarding the extent of an exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto asserted on Saturday that Budapest has secured an “indefinite exemption” from sanctions affecting Russian energy shipments, following a meeting between Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President Donald Trump at the White House.

According to Szijjarto, the agreement covers Russian gas delivered via the TurkStream pipeline and oil transported through the Druzhba pipeline. Orban himself had previously told Hungarian media that Budapest had been granted a “complete exemption.”

However, a White House official, speaking to Reuters, countered these claims, stating that Hungary had only been granted a one-year exemption from sanctions related to the use of Russian energy. This position was reiterated in a subsequent email from the same official.

The discrepancy follows the US imposing sanctions last month on Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft. Orban, known for maintaining close ties with both Moscow and Washington, had lobbied for the exemption, citing Hungary’s heavy reliance on Russian energy.

According to the International Monetary Fund, Hungary sourced 74% of its gas and 86% of its oil from Russia in 2024. Orban has argued that without the exemption, energy costs would surge, negatively impacting the Hungarian economy, driving up unemployment, and causing significant price increases for households and businesses. He also claims Hungary has committed to purchasing US liquefied natural gas in contracts valued at around $600 million.

The contrasting statements from Hungarian and US officials leave the duration of the exemption unclear. The situation underscores the complexities of navigating sanctions against Russia while balancing national energy security concerns, particularly for countries like Hungary that are heavily dependent on Russian energy supplies. The disagreement also comes ahead of Hungary’s close election next year, where Orban’s stance on energy security could be a key factor.

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