Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will travel to Washington next week to discuss U.S. sanctions on Russian oil with President Donald Trump.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington next week to discuss the impact of new U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil companies, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed on Monday October 27, 2025.
The planned talks come as Washington prepares to tighten restrictions on Moscow’s energy exports, a move that could affect several European nations still reliant on Russian crude. For Hungary, which imports most of its oil from Russia through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, the sanctions raise questions about future energy security and supply stability.
“In the second half of next week, there will be an opportunity in Washington for the Prime Minister to discuss this issue in person with the U.S. President,” Szijjarto said during a briefing in Budapest. He added that, for now, the measures were not yet causing any disruption to Hungary’s energy supply.
The latest U.S. sanctions, announced earlier this month, are part of Washington’s broader campaign to restrict Moscow’s oil revenue as the war in Ukraine grinds on. The restrictions, which will take effect in late November, target several Russian companies and shipping firms involved in transporting crude oil, in an effort to curb the Kremlin’s ability to finance its military operations.
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Budapest has long maintained a cautious stance on sanctions against Russia, arguing that they often hurt European economies more than Moscow’s. Orban, one of Europe’s most outspoken leaders on maintaining dialogue with Russia, has frequently called for exemptions for Hungary from EU and U.S. measures that could endanger its energy supply.
Hungary’s energy dependence on Russia remains significant. The country receives around 80 percent of its oil and gas from Russian suppliers, and officials have repeatedly emphasized that immediate alternatives are limited. Szijjarto reiterated that Hungary would continue to act “in accordance with its national interests” and seek solutions that ensure “uninterrupted energy security.”
The upcoming Washington meeting is expected to focus not only on sanctions but also on broader bilateral relations between the two nations, including trade and regional security.
Analysts say Orban’s visit signals Hungary’s intent to balance its ties between Moscow and Washington at a time of mounting global tensions. Whether the talks will yield any practical exemptions or policy adjustments remains to be seen, but Budapest appears determined to keep its energy options open.