Hungary wants to circumvent US sanctions against Russian oil companies

According to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the Hungarian government will seek ways to circumvent the new US sanctions against Russian energy companies. "There are sanctions against certain Russian oil companies (...). We are working on ways to circumvent these (sanctions)," Orban said in a radio interview on Friday.

On Wednesday, the US imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in light of the lack of progress in Ukraine peace talks with Russia. "Those who want a reduction in energy prices must defend Hungary's right to buy oil and gas from Russia, or at the same price as in Russia, or cheaper," Orban added.

Hungary is considered the Kremlin's closest ally among the 27 EU member states. Despite the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Hungary remains heavily dependent on Russian oil. US President Trump has been trying for months to bring an end to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been going on for more than three and a half years – so far without success.

When announcing the new US sanctions against Russia, Trump also complained that his efforts to hold Ukraine peace talks with Putin were "going nowhere." A planned meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary was also off the table.

APA/ag