US Senators demand Budapest stop importing Russian energy
Photo: Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
US senators have called on Budapest to abandon Russian energy sources ahead of the planned November 7 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, according to Bloomberg.
In a resolution obtained by the outlet, lawmakers expressed concern that Hungary shows no intention of reducing its dependence on Russian fossil fuels. The senators urged Prime Minister Viktor Orban and other importers of Russian energy to adhere to the EU initiative that calls for a complete halt to such imports by 2027.
The document was signed by ten senators from both parties, including Republicans Roger Wicker, Thom Tillis, and Mitch McConnell, as well as Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Van Hollen, and Chris Coons.
Orban counting on continued Russian energy imports
According to Bloomberg, Orban, who maintains long-standing and close ties with American conservatives, hopes to secure approval for continued purchases of Russian oil during his upcoming meeting with Trump, even though most EU countries have significantly reduced imports since 2022.
"Vladimir Putin is a war criminal who uses Russia’s energy exports to fund his campaign of murder and aggression," Tillis said in a statement.
He emphasized that the resolution aims to prevent energy dependence from becoming "a weapon in the hands of a dictator." Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen added that Europe has made "significant progress" in reducing its energy ties with Moscow, but Hungary’s position "undermines collective security and plays into the Kremlin’s hands."
An official meeting between Donald Trump and Viktor Orban is scheduled for Friday, November 7, at the White House. The leaders are expected to discuss, among other topics, the war in Ukraine.
US stance on Russia's energy sector
In October, the United States imposed restrictions on two Russian oil giants, Rosneft and Lukoil, after Trump attempted to persuade Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire failed.
Lukoil’s foreign subsidiaries have been crippled by Western sanctions. According to Reuters, Iraq’s state-owned SOMO canceled three shipments of oil produced by Lukoil at the West Qurna-2 field.
On November 5, it was also reported that Swiss company Gunvor expressed interest in purchasing Lukoil assets, a move that has raised concerns in Washington.
