Russian invasion Sanctions

Trump: Hungary may be exempted from sanctions

Hungary could be exempted if the US introduces new sanctions against countries that buy Russian energy. Donald Trump says this at the White House where he meets Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

– We are looking at it, says Trump.

Orbán says that it is an issue that will be discussed during Friday's meeting. When the war in Ukraine comes up, Trump asks if Orbán believes that Ukraine can win.

– Miracles can happen, says Orbán.

Russian sanctions could sabotage Orbán and Trump's friendship

Donald Trump's relationship with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will be tested when the leaders meet in Washington on Friday, according to the BBC and the New York Times.

The American newspaper writes that they admire each other but that there are also clear differences of opinion, not least when it comes to Russian energy. Last month, the US imposed sanctions on two Russian oil giants and Hungary gets a large part of its energy from Russia.

Donald Trump has threatened to impose so-called secondary sanctions on countries that buy Russian energy.

“Trump has the upper hand,” writes James Batchik of the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center think tank.