Orbán to propose energy deal to Trump in Washington – Media

According to sources cited by the outlet within the Hungarian government, energy will be the "most sensitive topic" during Orbán’s visit to Washington. Moreover, the Hungarian proposal has already been formulated.

According to the Index, Budapest will ask the US to recognize that, for "historical, geographical, and technical" reasons, Hungary cannot abandon Russian oil and natural gas in the short term.

In return, the country is willing to deepen American nuclear cooperation in areas such as small modular reactors, fuel storage, and the storage of nuclear fuel elements.

Additionally, preparations are underway not only for an energy market agreement but also for a geopolitical deal: the Hungarian government is trying to balance maintaining Russian energy resources with strengthening its partnership with the US.

Sources note that one of the areas of US-Hungary energy cooperation is nuclear energy.

They add that oil remains the least flexible area. Following the US sanctions against Lukoil, the company decided to wind down its international operations and sell its assets.

The Hungarian government emphasizes that the direct impact of this decision on Hungary is minimal, although the region as a whole will feel the effects due to changes in transport routes.

According to sources, in Washington, both sides aim to achieve two interconnected goals: maintain Hungary’s energy stability, considering its specific circumstances, while simultaneously strengthening the American presence in strategic sectors — nuclear and gas.

Trump-Orbán meeting

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on November 7.

According to sources, the main topic of discussion could be Hungary’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

The European Union and the US are trying to pressure Hungary to stop buying Russian energy resources. In response, the pro-Russian Hungarian government claims that the country cannot fully abandon Russian oil.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker criticized Hungary’s position, stating that Washington expects Budapest to gradually phase out Russian oil and gas. To support this, the US plans to work with Croatia, which could provide alternative supplies to Hungary.

Recently, it became known that Orbán plans to explain to Trump why Budapest must continue purchasing oil and gas from Russia.

According to him, since Hungary is landlocked, it depends on overland routes for the delivery of energy resources.

He believes it is important to convey this to the Americans if Hungary hopes to receive any exemptions from US sanctions against Russian companies Rosneft and Lukoil.

However, Trump refused to grant Orbán an exemption from sanctions on Russian oil.