Hungary asks US to extend exemption for Russian energy purchases
Hungary's new government is lobbying the United States to extend an exemption from penalties over purchases of Russian energy as Budapest tries to reduce its dependence on Moscow without abruptly cutting off supplies.
Márton Hajdu, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Péter Magyar's ruling Tisza party and chairman of parliament's foreign affairs committee, said he raised the issue during meetings with Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
“I've asked for their support in this transitional period for an exemption from American penalties targeting the purchases of Russian energy,” Hajdu wrote on Facebook on Monday.
The request comes after US President Donald Trump signed legislation on Friday giving him new powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that buy Russian energy or help Moscow circumvent sanctions.
The penalties are not automatic. Hungary's Foreign Ministry told Bloomberg that applying them to Budapest would require a separate US decision.
Orbán's exemption expires in November
ormer Prime Minister Viktor Orbán secured an exemption from US penalties on Russian energy purchases after meeting Trump at the White House in November 2025.
Orbán described the arrangement at the time as a “general, indefinite exemption” that would remain in force as long as both leaders held office.
Hungary's Foreign Ministry, however, told Bloomberg that the exemption expires on Nov. 21, citing communications with the US State Department.
Orbán lost April's election after 16 years in power. Magyar's government has since pledged to reduce Hungary's reliance on Russian natural gas and diversify its crude oil supplies.
Hungary nevertheless remains heavily dependent on Russian energy. Budapest says it is working to increase alternative oil supplies through a Croatian pipeline connecting the landlocked country to the Adriatic Sea.
Hajdu said Hungary was seeking the US exemption while that transition continues.
“We're building Hungarian-US relations on long-term interests and shared values, which extend beyond election cycles,” he said.