In a significant development during Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he is considering granting Hungary an exemption from sanctions to allow the purchase of Russian oil. This move, aimed at aiding Hungary’s energy needs, comes despite ongoing U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil companies. Trump emphasized the logistical challenges Hungary faces, being landlocked and lacking access to alternative oil sources. Orban, a staunch ally of Trump in Europe, has long maintained close energy ties with Russia, citing pipelines as a ‘physical reality’ rather than a political stance. He has also leveraged Hungary’s dependence on Russian energy to bolster his domestic political agenda, promising voters ‘cheap Russian energy’ ahead of next year’s elections. The two leaders also discussed the Ukraine war, with Trump expressing optimism about Orban’s potential role in mediating peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Orban, however, expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s ability to win the war, suggesting that only Hungary and the U.S. truly seek peace. The meeting also touched on broader economic issues, including the impact of Trump’s tariffs on Hungary’s export-driven car industry. Despite frequent disagreements with EU leaders on issues like migration and democracy, Trump praised Orban as a strong leader on immigration.