Putin laughs as NATO unity cracks? Trump ally seeks waiver from 100% Russia-energy tariff threat

Western unity over Russian energy is facing a fresh test after NATO and EU member Hungary sought protection from Donald Trump’s new sanctions targeting major buyers of Russian oil and gas. Washington’s new law allows tariffs of up to 100%, but Budapest remains heavily dependent on Russian energy despite Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s pro-EU government pledging to reduce those ties. The controversy comes with an awkward twist for Washington: U.S. nuclear utilities themselves continue to rely heavily on Russian uranium enrichment services under temporary waivers. Russia supplied 26% of enrichment services purchased by U.S. nuclear operators in 2025. As Trump pressures other countries to cut Moscow’s energy revenues, are Western sanctions exposing a growing energy divide, and a double standard?