The US sanctions waiver list has been published – but Hungary is not on it
Several energy-sector actors have been granted exemptions from the sanctions on purchasing Russian oil and gas, yet Hungary does not appear on the list. According to the Hungarian government, the Trump–Orbán agreement guarantees the exemption, but no written authorisation has been issued so far, and the sanctions will enter into force shortly.
The United States issued four temporary exemptions from the sanctions imposed on Rosneft and Lukoil on 14 November in order to prevent significant disruptions in supply, Portfolio reports.
According to the justification provided by OFAC, which operates under the US Department of the Treasury, the countries, energy-sector actors and institutions listed would have suffered major and serious losses as a result of the measures against the two oil companies. Hungary, however — oddly enough — is not included.
The exemptions are only short-term
The first exemption was granted to Kazakhstan, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the CPC oil pipeline, the Tengiz oilfield and the Karachaganak site. Only the sale of ownership stakes and transactions unrelated to day-to-day operations remain prohibited.
In second place on the list are Lukoil’s foreign filling stations. The international network encompasses more than five thousand stations, making it essential that operations and procurement of supplies remain possible until mid-December.
Lukoil’s Bulgarian subsidiaries — such as the Burgas refinery, as well as filling stations and kerosene processing facilities — have also been exempted and may operate freely until the end of April 2026. In addition, preparatory procedures required for the sale or restructuring of the European headquarters have been authorised.
As is clear, each exemption is subject to strict time limits — in some cases barely more than a month — indicating that the United States is seeking to minimise the scope for Russian companies while preventing supply disruptions in the regions concerned.
Diverging positions between the two foreign ministers
Hungary does not appear on the latest list at all. Nevertheless, the Hungarian government claims that on 7 November Viktor Orbán received a verbal promise from Donald Trump at the White House that Hungary would be exempt from the sanctions.
However, as reported by 24.hu, there is a significant discrepancy between US and Hungarian statements. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, asserts that the agreement guarantees Hungary’s exemption until the end of the two leaders’ terms in office, and that putting it in writing is merely a technical formality.
In contrast, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio states that the exemption would apply for at most one year, and that only temporary authorisation can be granted for certain pipelines. Gergely Gulyás has said that Szijjártó will formally contact Rubio in order to clarify the misunderstandings, while Viktor Orbán has commented that ultimately “the boss” — that is, Trump — will decide the matter.
Only OFAC can make a concrete decision
The main source of uncertainty is that actual exemption can only be granted through a written licence issued by OFAC. Hungary must apply for this separately, and under US practice such licences are reviewed annually and therefore are usually granted for only one year, regardless of the political objectives behind them.
All this means that Hungary must continue to wait for the official document that would clarify the conditions and the time limits under which it may receive an exemption.
However, the sanctions are set to enter into force on 21 November, meaning the deadline for a decision is approaching rapidly, while Hungary’s situation remains unresolved.
Victor said they shaked hands on the agreement. I laughed and laughted, knowing that Trumps “handshake” mean absolutely nothing. Current law means absolutely nothing to Trump. But Victor glowed like a schoolgirl when they met. How lovely.
D. J. Trump – lied again.
Trump & Orban a “cocktail” of Liers.
Its ALL fabrication that America under D. J. Trump the “bosom” mate of Victor Mihaly. Orban – will lend any meaningful or NEEDED assistance to Hungary.
D.J. Trump – a Presidency in CHAOS.
Victor Mihaly. Orban – a Prime Minister that of Hungary, who along with his Fidesz Government, in power (16) sixteen years have DEVASTATED economically and financially Hungary.
Trump and Orban – their CV’s kept building that of Truth and Trust with Respect for their names is of near non existence.
Truth is Truth – and the names Trump and Orban – are in FEAR of TRUTH.
Could be worse – could be Mr. Mr. Putin’s Russia’s handshake!
A little list of treaties, agreements and cease-fires that Mr. Putin’s Russia is widely reported to have broken, violated or abandoned:
Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation (1997) – Recognised borders, respect for sovereignty; Russia later acted contrary.
Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances (1994) – Russia guaranteed Ukraine’s territorial integrity; later annexed Crimea.
Treaty Between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait (2003) – Set shared water-usage norms; effectively undermined by Russia’s maritime / territorial claims.
Treaty on the Russian‑Ukrainian State Border (2003) – Defined the land border; later Russia’s actions in Ukraine violated the border integrity.
Minsk Protocol (Minsk I, Sept 2014) – Ceasefire in Donbas; fighting resumed almost immediately.
Minsk II Agreement (Feb 2015) – Ceasefire + heavy weapons withdrawal + elections in special status regions; many terms never honoured.
Intermediate‑Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty, 1987) – Russia accused of violating it (e.g., SSC-8 missile), U.S. withdrew.
Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE Treaty, 1990) – Key arms-control pact; Russia formally withdrew/ceased participation.
Comprehensive Nuclear‑Test‑Ban Treaty (CTBT) – Russia ratified but later moved to withdraw ratification, signalling non-compliance.
New START Treaty (2010) – Limits on deployed strategic nuclear warheads; Russia suspended some participation citing U.S./NATO actions.
Multiple short-term cease-fires in the Ukraine conflict (2014-22) – Russia / Russian-backed forces repeatedly violated them.
Eternal Peace Treaty (1686) between Russia and Poland‑Lithuania (historical example) – Russia later intervened in Polish-Lithuanian affairs despite the treaty.
Bilateral agreements with Georgia regarding borders/ceasefires post-2008 war – Allegations of Russia breaking them (e.g., continued militarised presence in Abkhazia/South Ossetia).
Bilateral/multilateral agreements with Moldova / Transnistria – Russia’s commitments regarding peacekeeping/withdrawal criticised as not fulfilled.
Agreements on non-deployment or moratoria of certain missile/weapon systems – Russia announced it will abandon its unilateral moratorium on short & intermediate-range missiles.
Reuters
Numerous Memoranda and local border/co-operation treaties with Ukraine, Black Sea/coastal states – cited in sources as part of a catalogue of ~190 broken agreements.
Agreements within regional organisations (e.g., Council of Europe conventions) – Russia has withdrawn from or violated obligations of anti-corruption, human rights conventions.
Arms-control verification regimes and inspection provisions – Russia accused of restricting access, limiting transparency thus breaching regime norms.
Treaties establishing demilitarised or buffer zones in eastern Ukraine – Russia / proxies repeatedly failed to adhere to zone definitions or withdrew heavy weapons as promised.
Agreements on fisheries / maritime zones / navigation rights in the Azov-Kerch region – Once agreed, later overridden by Russian assertions of exclusive control.
Agreements (signed by Russia) recognising territorial integrity of neighbour states (e.g., Ukraine) – But Russian annexation actions conflict with those commitments.
Many bilateral ceasefires or peace treaties signed by Russia or its proxies in the context of the Ukraine war or earlier conflicts and then violated soon after.
If you omit the behavior of the West, since 1989, as you have done, Dear Norbert, then one would have no choice but to assume that Russia has unjustifiably acted in a venal, cruel, deceptive, and aggressive manner.
In evaluating this situation, however, you have to look at both sides.
When agreements fail, just as marriages, it is very rare that only one party is to blame.
You know that, yet you prefer to blind yourself to half of the picture, for reasons I cannot know why.
Russia has a concept of Ukraine as a brother Russian country that can do whatever it wants, except that it cannot be a part of NATO in any way, nor can it be involved in atrocities against those who consider themselves Russian and Russian Orthodox.
The West believes that The Ukraine, though too corrupt to formally admit to the EU, is a Western country that must be fought to the death for, most especially because it’s citizens must be spared the fate of being on friendly terms with a Russia led by Vlad The Terrible.
When two positions reach such a point of incompatibility, in relationships, there is the danger of unfortunate events, unless the two parties are willing to meet in the middle and then carry out both the spirit and letter of the agreement reached.
So, just as in every other situation in human history, when an agreement between such wildly opposite ideas coincide, there will be a war.
Who wins?
Always the one who is prepared to pay the highest price.
For most of The West this war is not worthwhile. For most of Russia, this war is a matter of life and death.
Therein you see the inevitable result.
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