Donald Trump announces, at the meeting with Viktor Orban, that he is considering making an exception for Hungary from the sanctions on Russian oil

US President Donald Trump welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the White House on Friday to discuss Hungary's dependence on Russian oil, as Trump works to get more countries to ditch it, Reuters, Sky News and The Guardian write.

Orban, a longtime Trump ally, arrived at the White House on Friday at noon (US time) for his first bilateral meeting with Trump since the Republican leader and former New York businessman returned to power in January.

The two leaders have similar views on their anti-immigration stance, but the subject of Russian oil is a sensitive point in their relationship. Trump has insisted that European countries stop buying Russian oil as a way to stop funding Moscow for its war in Ukraine.

Hungary has maintained its dependence on Russian energy since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, drawing criticism from several European Union and NATO allies.

Hungarian officials said in the run-up to the meeting that Orban intended to discuss a path to a US-Russia meeting and seek exemptions from Washington's energy sanctions.

Trump said last month he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, but the meeting was put on hold after Russia rejected a truce.

“All diplomatic negotiations are difficult, but I expect a friendly and easy negotiation,” Orban told Hungarian state media ahead of the meeting, when asked if he expected difficult talks on sanctions relief for Russian oil companies.

State news agency MTI reported that during his flight to Washington, Orban described the issue of energy sanctions as “serious” and said the “stakes are high”, although he did not expect talks with Trump on the issue to be difficult.

“I know the president, he knows me, we know the subject, we simply have to reach an agreement,” Orban said, according to MTI.

The two leaders also plan to discuss ways for closer economic cooperation between the United States and Hungary. The White House said the leaders would discuss “areas of mutual interest” and suggested some agreements could result.

“The American people can expect more favorable deals following Prime Minister Orban's visit, targeting various industries,” a White House official said.

The Hungarian leader, who faces an election in 2026, has cultivated a strong personal relationship with Trump over the years, although there are tensions, such as Orban's pro-China policies.

Trump praises the “special” Orban

Donald Trump made the first statements about the meeting with Viktor Orban, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, after welcoming the Hungarian Prime Minister.

“He's done a fantastic job, he's a very powerful man in his country, but he's also loved,” Trump said. “He leads a truly wonderful country,” the American leader said.

Trump went on to describe Orban as a “special person” and confirmed that the two would discuss the war in Ukraine as well as energy.

“I just want to welcome this really good person, he's a great leader,” the US president added.

Orban: Ukraine war is “the most important issue for us”

“The reason we are here is to open a new chapter in bilateral relations between the United States and Hungary,” the Hungarian leader said after being invited by Trump to speak in the Cabinet meeting room.

Orban then said the war in Ukraine was “the most important issue for us”.

“We would like to discuss with you how we can contribute to your peace efforts,” the Hungarian prime minister added.

Trump is “considering” giving Hungary a waiver on the purchase of Russian oil

As soon as the question session opened, Donald Trump was asked if he was prepared to give Hungary a waiver regarding the purchase of Russian oil.

Russian crude is the only major area where allies Trump and Orban are at odds, with the US president repeatedly urging Europe to end its dependence on Moscow for energy. But Budapest has opposed European Commission plans to phase out Russian gas imports by the end of 2027.

Last month, Trump told reporters that Orban had “requested a waiver” to purchase Russian oil.

“We are looking into this matter,” the American president said during the press conference on Friday evening.

“It's very difficult for him (Viktor Orban, no) to get oil and gas from other areas … they don't have seas, they don't have ports, so they have a difficult problem. When you look at what happened to Europe, many of these countries do not have these problems, but others buy a lot of oil and gas from Russia, and as they know, I am very disturbed by this,” Trump said.

Orban also said oil would be “one of the issues today” in his talks with Trump.

The Budapest-based leader said he would “clearly explain what the consequences would be for the Hungarian people and the Hungarian economy if they did not receive oil and gas from Russia.”

“We are supplied by pipelines, it's not an ideological or a political problem, it's a physical reality because we can't afford it,” he explained.

An American journalist contradicted Orban, saying that a pipeline from Croatia would be enough to cover Hungary's energy needs, but the Hungarian prime minister replied that there was a difference between oil and gas pipelines.

Asked by a Hungarian journalist about the connection between Orban and Trump as conservative leaders, Trump said of the Hungarian prime minister: “He is respected by everyone and respected by some – and I can tell you that I appreciate him and respect him … that's why he will do very well in the next election.”