Overview
- During a White House meeting, Trump said he is “looking at” exempting Hungary from sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil that are set to take effect on Nov. 21 with secondary risks for buyers.
- Orbán pushed to revive a Trump–Putin summit, and Trump said there is a “very good chance” of a future meeting and that he would prefer Budapest as the venue, though no plan was announced.
- Hungary pressed its case for an exemption by citing heavy pipeline dependence on Russian energy and the limits of being landlocked without access to seaports.
- The two sides discussed expanded economic and energy cooperation, including what Hungary describes as a significant nuclear cooperation agreement and plans to buy U.S. fuel rods for Russian‑built reactors.
- Ukraine and European partners voiced caution, with Zelensky saying Kyiv supports formats that can deliver a real ceasefire but not events staged for political effect, and any waiver could test allied sanctions unity.