{"id":278821,"date":"2025-11-08T07:13:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T07:13:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/278821\/"},"modified":"2025-11-08T07:13:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T07:13:29","slug":"orban-scores-major-wins-in-trump-meeting-sanction-exemptions-deals-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/278821\/","title":{"rendered":"Orb\u00e1n Scores Major Wins in Trump Meeting: Sanction Exemptions, Deals and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

US President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n held a high-stakes summit<\/a> at the White House on Friday, marking a new era in US\u2013Hungary relations. Both sides hailed the meeting as a milestone in strengthening economic, energy, and defence cooperation, as Trump granted Hungary a full exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports through the TurkStream and Druzhba pipelines.<\/p>\n

According to a White House statement, the partnership between the two nations is \u2018built on mutual respect for sovereign decision-making\u2019 and reflects \u2018a commitment to advancing strategic goals that benefit both nations as trading partners and NATO allies\u2019.<\/p>\n

Trump Approves,\u00a0 Zelenskyy Threatens to Block Russian Oil to Hungary<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Orb\u00e1n announced at a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade P\u00e9ter Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 that Hungary had secured an indefinite and comprehensive exemption from US sanctions<\/a> targeting Russian energy sources. \u2018We have managed to protect the utility price cuts, which means Hungary will continue to have the lowest energy prices in Europe,\u2019 Orb\u00e1n declared. \u2018There are no sanctions that would restrict or increase the cost of energy coming through these two pipelines.\u2019<\/p>\n

Orb\u00e1n emphasized that without this exemption, Hungarian households would have faced a two-and-a-half to threefold increase in energy bills by the end of November. \u2018When we arrived in Washington, we were in deep trouble\u2014perhaps worse than that. But we have pulled ourselves out,\u2019 he said, crediting Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 for his role in preparing the final agreement.<\/p>\n

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy threatened that Ukraine will stop Russian oil<\/a> from reaching Hungary, though it cannot happen immediately due to various dependencies. \u2018We can\u2019t allow Russians to keep making money on energy,\u2019 Zelenskyy said on 7 November. \u2018Even where they twist our arms through various contracts or obligations, we\u2019ll still find a way to make sure Russian oil disappears from Europe\u2026We won\u2019t let the Russians sell oil there. It\u2019s a matter of time. We can\u2019t do it today because there are many different dependencies in this puzzle, but we\u2019ll still complete the picture,\u2019 he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He also commented on Orb\u00e1n\u2019s veto to block Ukraine\u2019s European Union accession. \u2018[Russians] couldn\u2019t do it. If he thinks delaying it by six months will stop Ukraine, then no, it won\u2019t,\u2019 Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n

The agreement on Russian oil transit through Ukraine remains in force until 1 January 2030. In 2019, Ukrtransnafta and Russia\u2019s Transneft signed a ten-year extension, effective from 1 January 2020. Despite Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion that began in 2022, Ukraine has not terminated the contract, as it continues to generate significant revenue from transit fees.<\/p>\n

Multimillion-Dollar Deals on Energy, Defence, Technology<\/p>\n

Orb\u00e1n confirmed that the United States would lift the remaining restrictions related to the Paks II nuclear project introduced under the Biden administration. The US and Hungary also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on civil nuclear cooperation<\/a>, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and spent fuel storage, signaling Budapest\u2019s ambition to become a hub for SMR technology in Central Europe. The MOU foresees potential investments of up to $20 billion.<\/p>\n

In addition, Hungary concluded a $114 million deal with US-based Westinghouse to supply nuclear fuel for the Paks I power plant and committed to purchasing $600 million worth of American liquefied natural gas (LNG). \u2018We will introduce American technology in Hungary and create the legal framework for the construction of small modular reactors,\u2019 Orb\u00e1n said, adding that the Hungarian parliament would amend relevant laws next week.<\/p>\n

The White House statement<\/a> announced the launch of negotiations to renew the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), paving the way for deeper military cooperation. Hungary also plans to purchase $700 million worth of defence equipment through the US Foreign Military Sales program.<\/p>\n

On the space front, Hungary signed the Artemis Accords on 22 October, joining a growing coalition of nations committed to the peaceful and transparent use of outer space. Szijj\u00e1rt\u00f3 revealed that Hungarian companies would participate in the construction of the world\u2019s first commercial space station, led by US-based Voyager Technologies, scheduled for launch in 2029. The project will include joint training and experimental missions involving Hungarian astronauts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The US and Hungary also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on civil nuclear cooperation, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and spent fuel storage. PHOTO: Saul Loeb\/AFP<\/p>\n

Both leaders highlighted expanding academic and scientific ties, including the Fulbright program\u2019s 2026 expansion in honor of the US semiquincentennial and a new $1 million joint research initiative between The Catholic University of America and P\u00e1zm\u00e1ny P\u00e9ter Catholic University on the ethical use of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n

Orb\u00e1n underlined that US\u2013Hungarian relations had reached unprecedented strength since Trump\u2019s return to office. He noted that approximately 1,400 American companies now operate in Hungary, employing about 100,000 people, and more investments are expected to follow. \u2018These new projects will not only create jobs but also raise Hungary\u2019s technological standards,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

Trump and Orb\u00e1n also discussed financial stability and agreed to establish new forms of financial cooperation. \u2018We can count on the United States in maintaining and strengthening Hungary\u2019s financial stability,\u2019 the Hungarian prime minister stated.<\/p>\n

Shared Commitment to Peace<\/p>\n

Both governments reiterated their commitment to promoting peace efforts in Ukraine. Orb\u00e1n noted that discussions about hosting a peace summit in Budapest<\/a> remain ongoing. \u2018Hungary offers its capabilities to assist in ending the war in Ukraine,\u2019 he said, repeating his long-standing view that \u2018Ukraine cannot defeat Russia militarily\u2019.<\/p>\n

Orb\u00e1n characterized the meeting as \u2018a day of Hungary in Washington\u2019, noting that multiple ministerial-level discussions were held alongside the leaders\u2019 summit. He described the talks as those of \u2018two allied states with shared interests\u2019, adding that no major disagreements emerged.<\/p>\n

\u2018We identified no issue where our two nations\u2019 positions conflicted,\u2019 Orb\u00e1n said. \u2018There are no strategic differences between Hungary and the United States\u2014only shared goals and cooperation.\u2019<\/p>\n

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