Putin's 'inside man in EU' forces Trump to do public U-turn on Russia oil purchase ban pressure

President Donald Trump confirmed at the White House that Hungary is being granted a one-year exemption from new US sanctions on imports of Russian oil and gas, following a direct plea by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Trump acknowledged Hungary’s landlocked geography and heavy dependence on Russian energy shipped by pipeline, noting that other European countries—despite having maritime access—still buy large quantities of Russian oil. Orban explained the economic hardship Hungary would face if cut off, pledging to work with Croatia to expand alternative supply routes but underscoring that the Russian Druzhba pipeline remains vital for now. The exemption is seen as a major win for Orban’s government, signaling US flexibility for key allies and raising questions about broader sanctions enforcement.