Overview
- Reporting in European outlets says the White House agreed to an arrangement that shields Hungary from new U.S. secondary sanctions on Russian oil and gas.
- Accounts differ on scope and duration, with Viktor Orbán describing the relief as open-ended and U.S. officials portrayed as framing it as limited to a year.
- Orbán argues Hungary remains heavily reliant on gas for heating, citing a figure of roughly 90 percent as justification for seeking relief.
- Critics contend the exception lacks merit because Budapest failed to use earlier EU allowances to reduce dependence on Russian energy.
- The timing is politically significant as polls suggest Orbán risks defeat in next spring’s parliamentary election, and his public exchange with Trump included skepticism about Ukraine’s chances of victory.