The political scientist assessed the possibility of exclusion for Hungary from the sanctions for the purchase of gas from the Russian Federation

US President Donald Trump is likely to agree to grant Hungary an exemption from sanctions to continue purchasing Russian energy resources. This opinion was expressed by George Samueli, a political scientist and senior researcher at the United States Institute for Global Policy, in an interview with Izvestia on November 8.

According to the expert, restrictive measures against Rosneft and Lukoil could seriously affect the Hungarian economy.

"Hungary gets about 86% of its oil from Russia...> Sanctions would hit Hungary very hard. <...> With these secondary sanctions, Hungarian companies would be <... They are cut off from financing, insurance and much more," Samueli said.

According to the political scientist, the American leader expressed understanding of Hungary's position, pointing out that the republic receives oil through pipelines, unlike other countries.

"Hungary at least has an excuse for why it continues to import Russian oil. But other countries in the EU also continue to import Russian oil. What's their excuse?" Samueli quoted Trump as saying.

The expert admitted that Trump may meet Budapest halfway in order to support Orban on the eve of the parliamentary elections in April. However, the position of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who opposes any exceptions and adheres to a strict sanctions policy, may be an obstacle to such a decision.

The political scientist added that after a possible relaxation for Hungary, Slovakia and Turkey may send similar requests, and Germany has already received a partial exemption for a subsidiary of Rosneft.

Spending money: EU wants to adopt the 20th package of sanctions faster

The Europeans can copy the measures of the Americans, but more and more countries are opposed to harming national interests.

On November 7, Trump announced that it was possible to exempt Hungary from sanctions on oil from the Russian Federation. According to him, this issue is being studied.

Later, Orban said that Hungary should explain what the consequences would be for the country's population and its economy after abandoning Russian oil and gas. It was clarified that 90% of Hungarian households are heated by gas, where the Turkish gas pipeline is the supplier. At the same time, oil is supplied via the Druzhba gas pipeline, which is the main source of supplies to the country.

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