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Trump and Orbán Discuss Russian Oil, Sanctions, and Ukraine at White House Meeting
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US President Donald Trump met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the White House on November 7 to discuss Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian oil, regional security, and broader bilateral cooperation following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This was Orbán’s first bilateral meeting with Trump since the US president returned to office in January.
Trump has repeatedly encouraged European partners to reduce purchases of Russian oil and gas. Hungary remains one of the EU’s most dependent countries on Russian energy, with domestic refineries configured to process Russian Urals crude.
Ahead of the meeting, Hungarian officials signaled that Orbán intended to raise the issue of flexibility or exemptions from US sanctions on Russian oil. During their public remarks, Orbán said energy supply was a practical concern rather than a political one:
“Pipelines is not an ideological or political issue. It’s a physical reality because we don’t have port, exactly as the president explained to you. So, we will negotiate on that point. It’s vital for us.”
When asked whether he would consider an exemption for Hungary, Trump said:
“We’re looking at it, because it’s very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas. As you know, they don’t have the advantage of having sea.”
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Trump said the two leaders shared the view that the war in Ukraine will conclude soon. Responding to a question about his postponed meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Trump said:
“The basic dispute is they just don’t want to stop yet. And I think they will, I think it’s taking a big toll on Russia.”
Trump then asked Orbán directly whether Ukraine could win the war. Orbán replied:
“You know, miracles can happen.”
Trump responded:
“Yeah, that’s right.”
In October, Orbán said he planned to speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin as preparations advanced for a possible Trump–Putin meeting in Budapest. Trump had confirmed he was open to meeting Putin in Hungary to discuss options for ending Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Orbán told state radio the talks were aimed at “peace” and could take place within two weeks.
But just days later, the United States canceled the planned Budapest summit after Moscow refused to soften its territorial demands regarding Ukrainian territory.
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Orbán also addressed Hungary’s ongoing disputes with the European Union, emphasizing that he did not intend to involve Washington in those matters:
“I’m not here to ask President Trump to manage our conflicts with the European Union. This is our matter, so we will do it. What we need is a golden age, to open a golden age of the United States–Hungary relationship. That’s the biggest help we can get from the United States.”
Trump opened the meeting with praise for Orbán, saying:
“He’s run a really great country, and he’s got no crime, he’s got no problems some countries do. But probably has a couple of things that I don’t know about, maybe that I don’t want to know about.”
The White House said the leaders also reviewed opportunities to expand US–Hungary economic cooperation. Trump summarized the agenda at the top of the meeting:
“We’re going to be talking trade. We’re going to be talking a little bit of Russia, Ukraine. We’ll be talking about energy and energy prices.”
A recent restoration of Hungary’s full status in the US visa waiver program was cited as an example of improving ties.
Earlier, it was reported that Hungary’s only refiner Mol Nyrt. said it can cover most of its crude oil needs without relying on Russia—a notable shift in tone ahead of Orbán’s meeting with Trump.
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