Overview
- Hungary's prime minister is asking for U.S. exemptions so Budapest can keep buying Russian crude and gas despite new American sanctions.
- Orbán wants a roadmap for a potential Trump–Putin meeting on Ukraine after a previously floated Budapest summit was paused when Russia rejected a ceasefire.
- The White House says the leaders will discuss areas of mutual interest, with officials signaling that economic deals could emerge from the visit.
- Recent U.S. measures targeting Lukoil and Rosneft heighten scrutiny of whether the administration will enforce energy sanctions on partners abroad.
- Hungary's dependence on Russian supplies has strained ties with the EU, and Orbán is also seeking a Trump visit to Budapest before national elections.