"Trump Spares Hungary from Russian Energy Sanctions"

US President Donald Trump Grants Hungary One-Year Exemption from Russian Energy Sanctions In a significant move, US President Donald Trump has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on Russian energy purchases, citing the country's reliance on oil and gas imports. The exemption, which was confirmed by a White House official, is seen as a major concession to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Trump who has maintained good relations with Russia throughout the Ukraine war. According to a White House official, Trump made the decision to exempt Hungary from the sanctions after considering Orban's plea for an opt-out. Speaking on Friday during Orban's visit to the White House, Trump said an exemption was under consideration because "it's very difficult for him Orban to get the oil and gas from anywhere else." The move is a significant departure from the US's broader effort to restrict Russia's oil exports, which has seen the country effectively blacklist two of Russia's largest oil companies last month. The exemption is time-limited, with the US expected to reassess Hungary's energy imports in a year's time. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has defended his country's energy ties with Russia, arguing that they are driven by practical considerations rather than ideological or political motivations. "It's very difficult for him Orban to get the oil and gas from anywhere else," Trump said, echoing Orban's sentiments. According to experts, Hungary's reliance on Russian energy is a significant concern for the country's economy. "Sanctions would devastate Hungary's economy," Orban warned earlier this year. The exemption is seen as a significant concession to Orban, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump's policies. The two leaders have maintained close ties throughout the Ukraine war, with Orban being one of Trump's closest European allies. The move has sparked concerns among some lawmakers in the US, who argue that the exemption undermines the country's efforts to restrict Russia's oil exports. However, the White House has maintained that the exemption is necessary to ensure Hungary's energy security. "We are committed to supporting our allies and partners, while also taking steps to restrict Russia's oil exports," a White House official said. As the US reassesses Hungary's energy imports in a year's time, the country's future energy ties with Russia remain uncertain. However, for now, the exemption has provided a temporary reprieve for Hungary's economy. The move is a significant development in the ongoing saga of US-Russia relations, and its implications will be closely watched by experts and policymakers in the coming months. In related news, the US has effectively blacklisted two of Russia's largest oil companies last month as part of its broader effort to restrict Russia's oil exports. The move is seen as a significant escalation of the US's sanctions against Russia, which has been accused of violating international law in its actions in Ukraine. The US has imposed a range of sanctions on Russia in recent months, including restrictions on the country's energy sector. The exemption granted to Hungary is a significant concession to Orban, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump's policies. The two leaders have maintained close ties throughout the Ukraine war, with Orban being one of Trump's closest European allies. The move has sparked concerns among some lawmakers in the US, who argue that the exemption undermines the country's efforts to restrict Russia's oil exports. However, the White House has maintained that the exemption is necessary to ensure Hungary's energy security.