Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent visit to Washington was more than just a routine meeting. With a 180-strong delegation in tow, Orbán sought to leverage his friendship with US President Donald Trump to secure a crucial exemption to continue buying Russian oil and gain a public endorsement ahead of Hungary’s April parliamentary elections.
Orbán achieved both objectives during his visit, as Trump referred to him as a “great leader” and a friend. The US granted Hungary a one-year exemption to continue importing Russian oil through the Druzhba and South Stream pipelines, aligning with the European Union’s existing exemptions for Hungary.
US Exemption for Hungarian Oil Imports
The exemption is seen as a significant boost for Orbán, who has long argued that Hungary’s landlocked geography makes it reliant on Russian energy. However, the European Union has been pushing member states to diversify their energy sources and reduce dependence on Russian fuels.
According to Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at Bruegel, Orbán’s visit was successful in the short term, as he secured the exemption and a public endorsement from Trump. The exemption is likely to help Orbán’s re-election campaign, as it may prevent energy price increases and alleviate inflation concerns.
The US has urged European nations to stop buying Russian energy, but Orbán’s close alignment with Trump’s political views may have influenced the decision to grant the exemption. Both leaders have taken a hardline stance on migration and have criticized “gender ideology” and “woke” policies.
Election Implications and Future Energy Deals
Hungary’s parliamentary elections are set to take place in April, with Orbán facing a challenge from conservative candidate Peter Magyar. Trump’s public endorsement and the exemption from US sanctions on Russian energy may be seen as a significant boost to Orbán’s campaign.
During his visit, Orbán announced that Hungary would purchase $600 million worth of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) and nuclear fuel for its Paks nuclear plant. The country also signed a declaration of intent to purchase small-sized nuclear reactors from the US, indicating that the exemption came with significant economic commitments.
As Kirkegaard noted, “When you go to Donald Trump and ask for something, you have to bring gifts. That is how the American president works.” The deal suggests that Orbán’s visit was not just about securing an exemption but also about strengthening economic ties with the US.
Orbán’s meeting with Trump also touched on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Orbán criticized European leadership, arguing that they prefer to continue the war and believe Ukraine can win on the battlefield. He suggested that Trump is doing a “splendid” job with his peace efforts but is being hindered by European leaders.
Ukraine and EU Accession Talks
Orbán’s stance on Ukraine’s EU accession talks remains unchanged, as he continues to block Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that his country will not make direct concessions to Orbán, instead arguing that Budapest should recognize Ukraine’s efforts to protect European values.
The European Council is set to discuss the issue of using Russian frozen assets to provide reparations for Ukraine in their upcoming meeting. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Orbán will shift his position on Ukraine’s EU accession talks.
For now, Orbán appears to have secured a significant advantage ahead of the elections, thanks to Trump’s public endorsement and the exemption from US sanctions on Russian energy. As the European Council prepares to discuss Ukraine’s future, the international community will be watching closely to see how the situation develops.
