by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungary’s new government is seeking protection from possible U.S. penalties over its continued purchases of Russian oil and natural gas, as Budapest navigates a new relationship with Washington following the defeat of longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed legislation Friday giving him expanded powers to impose tariffs and other measures on countries purchasing Russian energy.
While Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s government has signaled a break with Orbán’s Moscow-friendly policies, Russian supplies still account for a significant share of Hungary’s needs.
Magyar’s administration has pledged to reduce its reliance on Russian oil and natural gas but acknowledges that the transition will take time.
HUNGARY SEEKS EXEMPTION
“I’ve asked for their support in this transitional period for an exemption from American penalties targeting the purchases of Russian energy,” Márton Hajdu, chairman of parliament’s foreign affairs committee for the ruling Tisza Party, wrote on social media platform Facebook on Monday.
Hajdu made the remarks after meeting Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Washington, where the new U.S. legislation and Hungary’s reliance on Moscow were among the key issues discussed.
“We’re building Hungarian-US relations on long-term interests and shared values, which extend beyond election cycles,” Hajdu stressed.
He said Tisza realizes the dangers of that dependence and wants to tackle the issue while seeking U.S. backing for Hungary’s diversification efforts.
ORBÁN SECURED EXEMPTION
Following a White House meeting with Trump in November 2025, Orbán claimed to have received a “general, indefinite exemption” from U.S. penalties related to Russian energy purchases.
Orbán suggested the arrangement would remain valid as long as both he and Trump remained in office.
However, Hungary’s Foreign Ministry said it learned from the U.S. State Department that the exemption expires November 21.
Budapest added that penalties would not automatically follow, as Washington would have to make a separate decision on Hungary’s case.
NEW US ENERGY LAW
Trump’s signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 has given the issue new urgency.
Under the legislation, tariffs of up to 100 percent can be imposed in specified circumstances on countries ranking among the largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas that continue purchasing Russian supplies.
Hungary is not named in the final legislation, Worthy News learned, but experts say its provisions could still have significant implications for Budapest.
RUSSIAN ENERGY IMPORTS
The country imports about 5 million metric tons of Russian crude oil annually, while a long-term agreement with Russia’s Gazprom provides for roughly 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year.
Seeking to reduce that reliance, Budapest is looking for additional oil supplies, including through a Croatian pipeline connecting the landlocked Central and Eastern European nation to the Adriatic Sea.
Alternative natural gas supplies are also being pursued, although officials acknowledge that replacing Russian deliveries will take time.
Hajdu said he asked his U.S. counterparts to support those efforts while shielding Hungary from penalties during the transition.
RELATIONS AFTER ORBÁN
Washington’s measures are aimed at reducing Moscow’s revenues as Russia’s war against Ukraine has entered its fifth year.
The talks also provide an early indication of U.S.-Hungarian relations following Orbán’s departure after years of unusually close political ties with Trump.
Trump had strongly backed Orbán ahead of Hungary’s April election, giving the nationalist leader his “complete and total” endorsement before Orbán lost after 16 consecutive years in power.
Magyar’s government has since sought closer cooperation with the European Union while maintaining strong relations with the United States.
Negotiations over the exemption could therefore become an early test of Budapest’s efforts to reshape its foreign relations while reducing its longstanding reliance on Moscow.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
