US President Donald Trump says he will consider allowing Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban to buy Russian oil, in an exemption from sanctions aimed at helping to end the Ukraine war.
Speaking on Friday during Orban's visit to the White House, Trump said an allowance might be made because "it's very difficult for him [Orban] to get the oil and gas from other areas".
The comments come after the US effectively blacklisted two of Russia's largest oil companies last month, threatening sanctions on those that buy from them.
Following the meeting, Hungary's foreign minister wrote on X that the US had given Budapest "a full and unlimited exemption from sanctions on oil and gas".
Trump added that while Hungary faced unique logistical challenges, including access to a sea that could be used to drill oil, he was "very disturbed" by other European countries that he said continued to buy Russian commodities despite not being landlocked.
