Trump welcomes Orban to White House as Hungary’s PM seeks exemption from U.S. sanctions on oil

President Trump welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who was expected to ask for an exemption from U.S. sanctions for buying Russian oil.

The topic is part of a broader discussion during Friday’s visit to the White House on the Russia–Ukraine war.

U.S. sanctions target two of Russia’s largest oil companies and their subsidies. They are expected to go into effect on Nov. 21.

Mr. Orban “has asked for an exemption. We haven’t granted one, but he has asked. He’s a friend of mine,” Mr. Trump told reporters on Air Force One last week.

The president was supposed to travel to Budapest to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, but frustrations over the lack of peace talk progress led to a cancellation.

When asked if such a meeting would be rescheduled, Mr. Trump said, “There’s always a chance, very good chance.”

Ahead of Friday’s meeting at the White House, Mr. Orban called Mr. Trump a “great leader” and said that since the president’s reelection, “new opportunities have emerged in the Hungarian-American relations.”

Mr. Orban said on social media, “Our goal is to establish a strategic partnership that includes energy cooperation, investments, defense collaboration, and discussions on the postwar landscape following the Russia–Ukraine conflict. We are working on an agreement based on mutual benefits, one that serves the interests of every Hungarian citizen.”

Mr. Orban last visited the White House in 2019 during Mr. Trump’s first term and has been to the U.S. for several summits. He has spoken with the president several times by phone and while both attended international events.

When Mr. Orban visited Washington six years ago, Mr. Trump praised his hardline immigration policies.

Mr. Orban has taken a pro-Russia stance in the war and has opposed  European Union initiatives to help Ukraine.