Orbán claims victory: Trump grants Hungary full sanctions waiver on Russian oil and gas
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Friday, following his meeting with Donald Trump in Washington, that Hungary has been granted full and indefinite exemption from sanctions regarding the import of crude oil and natural gas from Russia through designated routes. The Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline and the TurkStream gas pipeline will continue to operate without interruption in order to secure Hungary’s energy supply.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Orbán said: “We held a Hungarian day in Washington.” According to him, there are no strategic conflicts between Hungary and the United States, and the negotiations prepared several economic, energy and industrial cooperation projects.
Sanctions exemption on Russian energy
Orbán stated that the US leadership has granted “general and unlimited” exemption for Hungary’s import of Russian-origin energy resources via the two mentioned pipelines, according to HVG. The prime minister described this as a success in protecting Hungary’s utility price reduction scheme, adding that there will be no sanctions that would increase the cost of supply or restrict access to energy.
Szijjártó added that Hungary is also working on preparing a five-year LNG purchase agreement with an American supplier, which would allow further diversification of the country’s energy supply in the longer term.
US role in Hungary’s nuclear energy sector
Nuclear energy was one of the key areas of negotiation. Orbán announced that US-based Westinghouse will take part in Hungary’s nuclear sector, and that Hungary will also purchase nuclear fuel from the company. Additionally, the two sides agreed on the procurement of new, American-developed small modular reactors (SMRs), which will require amendments to Hungarian regulations.
The prime minister noted that US sanctions affecting the Paks II nuclear expansion project were not merely suspended, but fully lifted.
Industrial, aerospace and defence cooperation
According to Orbán, the two sides are establishing new forms of financial cooperation, noting that more than 1,400 American companies are currently operating in Hungary. Agreements were also concluded in the aerospace and defence industries.
Orbán added that the parties would be open to holding further meetings in Budapest if circumstances allow.
Check out our articles about today’s meeting below:
- Breaking: Hungary signs historic nuclear agreement with the United States
- Orbán’s pro-Russia stance brings the two major US parties together: Democrats and Republicans send joint message to the Hungarian PM
- Open endorsement at Trump–Orbán meeting: “I will support Orbán, I do not know his opponent”
Orbán: Entering a golden age with Trump
Orbán said that Hungary and the US are entering what he called a “golden age” of bilateral relations under Trump. “The reason why we are here is to open a new chapter between the … United States and Hungary,” Orbán told reporters at the White House alongside Trump. Orbán claimed that during previous Biden administration, “everything was ruined.”
Addressing Trump directly, he said: “You restored the old level of the relationship. You improved the bilateral relations. You repaired what was done badly by the previous administration. So now, we are in quite a good position to open up a new chapter, let’s say a golden age, between United States and Hungary.”
Orbán said he would discuss with Trump “how we can contribute to help you in your peace effort” to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He said another focus of negotiations would relate to the “consequences for the Hungarian people and for the Hungarian economy not to get oil and gas from Russia.”
“We are supplied by pipelines. Pipelines are not an ideological political issue. It’s a physical reality, because we don’t have ports, exactly as the president explained to you. So we will negotiate on that point. It’s vital for us,” Orbán said.
The prime minister said 90% of Hungarian households use gas-based heating. “We have only one pipeline delivering gas to Hungary, which is the main pipeline, the Turkish one,” he added.
Turning to the ongoing Ukraine war, Orbán said the US and Hungary had a different approach to the war than other European nations and the EU.
“The only pro-peace governments are the United States government and small Hungary in Europe. Anyway, all the other governments prefer to continue the war, because many of them think that Ukraine can win on the front line, which is a misunderstanding of the situation,” Orbán said.
Trump asked Orbán: “So, you would say that Ukraine cannot win that war?” “You know, miracles can happen,” Orbán replied.
Oh no, we’re going to continue receiving cheap(er) energy while trying to secure alternative, cost-effective, and reliable sources such as nuclear. How terrible!
how many years do you need to “secure” them? when did crime annexation start? dont be ridiculous`
You act, like it’s a matter you have say in. Or, like we should care about your opinion. Or, your nation’s opinion.
But let me be clear: Hungary’s energy supply is Hungary’s business, and you and your opinions simply don’t matter regarding that question.
If you want to demand something from Hungary, I can give you the contact info of the Hungarian Army, because that is tasked to handle unjustified foreign demands.
Yes please, give it to me. Im eager to serve for the powerfull Hungarian army!🤣🤣🤣
of course, this “victory” is not related at all to the next election happening next year. pure circus in orbanistan
Now, now. Is Orbán Putin’s puppet or Trump’s? No one can serve both.
Or is Trump Orbán’s puppet, and so Putin’s? Just answer, and embarass yourself further.
Trump did mention however, that he doesn’t even know who Orbán is running against. He should be better prepared to interfere, don’t you think?
No matter what Bloomberg and other scam sites write, the Globalists’ Hungarian arm is an irrelevant joke. Always was, and always will be.
Just accept it, and don’t ruin yourself with the sunk cost fallacy.
Man. All the world does not know anything about hungary. Thats why they joke about hungary or hungry. Maybe they know puskas and rubik by the name but no the nationalit. Even orband said that to trump, “hungary is a small country” your opinion is as irrelevant as your nationalist. Cheers!