Hungarian Prime Minister Appeals for Energy Support Amid Sanction Challenges

Sat Nov 08 2025 02:34:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seeks U.S. assistance to alleviate the impact of sanctions on Russian energy imports during a meeting with President Trump, proposing a bilateral cooperation agreement for U.S. nuclear fuel.

During a meeting at the White House, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán discussed the challenges faced by his country in sourcing energy due to U.S. sanctions on Russia. Orbán emphasized the need for an exemption from these sanctions and proposed several suggestions to President Trump. Additionally, he announced plans for Hungary to enter a cooperation agreement with the U.S. on nuclear energy, marking a shift from reliance on Russian sources.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a significant development for Hungarian-U.S. relations, President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán convened at the White House to address Hungary's energy procurement concerns amidst ongoing U.S. sanctions on Russian energy. Prime Minister Orbán highlighted the difficulties posed by these sanctions, stating, It’s very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas. He expressed that the issue was vital for Hungary, a landlocked nation struggling to secure its energy needs.

Orbán presented his stance, seeking U.S. acknowledgment of the unique challenges facing landlocked countries. He stated, I’m not asking for some kind of gift from the Americans... but simply for the realization that sanctions on Russian energy put Hungary in an impossible situation. He indicated plans to propose recommendations for implementing an exemption from these sanctions to President Trump.

The meeting was attended by a substantial delegation of Hungarian cabinet members, business leaders, and political influencers connected closely with Orbán’s government, emphasizing the importance of this diplomatic engagement.

Prior to Orbán's arrival, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators called on Hungary to decrease its reliance on Russian energy, reflecting concerns over Hungary's continued fossil fuel imports from Moscow. Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticized Hungary's actions as undermining collective European security efforts. The resolution urged Hungary to adhere to the EU's strategy of halting all Russian energy imports by 2027.

In a proactive step towards energy independence, Orbán announced plans to sign a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation agreement with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This deal marks Hungary’s first purchase of American nuclear fuel, shifting away from Russian sources, and includes the introduction of U.S. technology for managing spent fuel at Hungary’s nuclear power plant. Additionally, the agreement will involve collaboration on small modular reactors, representing a crucial move toward energy diversification for Hungary.

After the meeting, Orbán affirmed Hungary's solidarity with Brazil's political challenges, meeting with Eduardo Bolsonaro, emphasizing camaraderie in difficult political climates.