Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is set to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, with a key agenda: securing U.S. leniency for Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian oil. This meeting underscores Orbán’s strategic pivot toward Moscow over the past decade, a shift that has perplexed many of his former allies and critics. Orbán, once a vocal critic of Russian influence during the Cold War, has emerged as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s staunchest supporters within the European Union, maintaining warm ties with the Kremlin despite its ongoing war in Ukraine. His alignment with Trump’s MAGA movement has further solidified his image as a conservative nationalist, even as Hungary’s democratic institutions face erosion. However, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its fourth year, Orbán faces mounting pressure from both Brussels and Washington to sever Hungary’s dependence on Russian oil, a critical revenue stream for Moscow’s war efforts. Last month, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Russian energy giants Lukoil and Rosneft, potentially exposing Hungary to secondary sanctions. Orbán, however, is banking on his personal rapport with Trump to secure an exemption, arguing that Hungary has no viable alternatives to Russian crude and that cutting off supplies would trigger economic collapse. Critics dispute this claim, pointing to alternative pipelines like the Adria, which delivers non-Russian oil to Hungary. Despite Hungary’s increased reliance on Russian oil—rising from 61% pre-war to 86%—Orbán’s critics accuse him of prioritizing political alliances over energy diversification. The meeting also raises questions about Orbán’s broader geopolitical strategy, as he seeks to position Hungary as a mediator in potential U.S.-Russia peace talks. While a proposed Trump-Putin summit in Budapest was scrapped, Hungarian officials remain hopeful for future negotiations. Orbán’s adversarial stance toward Ukraine and his reluctance to support EU sanctions against Moscow have further isolated him within Europe, leaving him increasingly reliant on Trump’s support.
At White House meeting, Hungary’s Orbán to seek Trump’s blessing to keep buying Russian oil
