Trump says he is weighing exemption for Hungary from sanctions on Russian oil

President Donald Trump on Friday said during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban that the United States is considering whether to exclude Hungary from sanctions on Russian oil because the country is landlocked by Russia.

The Treasury Department last month imposed harsh sanctions on Russia's Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company and Lukoil OAO, which could force Russia to close down its remaining oil pipelines to Europe.

Orban previously indicated that he was looking at ways to get around the sanctions, but said Friday that he would negotiate with the U.S. on avoiding the sanctions, given how vital it is to his country.

Trump acknowledged that the sanctions were a big issue for Hungary, and praised Orban as a "great leader." 

"We're looking at it, because it's very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas," Trump said, according to Reuters. "As you know, they don't have, they don't have the advantage of having sea ... The fact is that he's a great leader and he's respected all over. Not necessarily liked by some of the leaders, but, you know, those leaders have proven to be wrong."

Hungary is the biggest buyer of Russian oil in the European Union, followed by Slovakia, which is also landlocked. But Croatia has said that it could help the two European countries with their oil supplies.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.