Next week, Orban will meet with Trump to discuss oil sanctions

Peter Szijjarto, the Foreign Minister of Hungary, said that Viktor Orban would discuss U.S. Sanctions on Russian Oil Companies and other topics when he meets Donald Trump next week in Washington.

Trump, an ally of Hungary's leader, has imposed sanctions against Russia for the very first time during his second term. He targeted Rosneft and Lukoil, in order to press Moscow into a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine.

Trump's decision has raised questions for Hungary, Slovakia and other European Union countries that are the largest buyers of Russian crude oil. They were exempted from EU restrictions after they secured exemptions.

Orban announced his visit to Washington, D.C. in mid-October when he stated that the agenda for negotiations was nearly complete.

Szijjarto said at a press briefing that the US president and the prime minister will have the opportunity to meet in Washington in the second week of next month.

Szijjarto stated that the new U.S. sanctions will not be in effect until late November. They are therefore not causing any problems for Hungary or causing it to reduce its oil imports from Russia.

Orban said on Friday that Hungary is working to find a way around U.S. sanctions against Russian oil companies. Orban did not give any details but he made it clear that he would not be defying the restrictions.

Orban claimed to have spoken with MOL, Hungary's oil company and gas company about the sanctions.

Over the years, Trump and the Hungarian leader have developed a close relationship. His anti-immigration hardline stance has won him support from Trump supporters in the United States.

He told Trump earlier in the month that they would discuss economic issues at their upcoming meeting.

(source: Reuters)