The exemption obtained by Hungary from US sanctions (regarding the purchase of Russian gas) will remain in effect as long as Viktor Orban is the Prime Minister of Hungary, and Donald Trump is the President of the USA, stated on Thursday the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, quoted by MTI, according to Agerpres. His announcement comes a few days after a White House official said that Hungary had been granted a one-year exemption from the sanctions imposed for continuing to purchase oil and gas from Russia.
Peter Szijjarto, visiting the Bulgarian capital Sofia, stated that what is important is that (the two leaders) “shook hands on this matter last week; putting it in writing is just a technical, bureaucratic issue”.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister mentioned that if Viktor Orban had not reached an agreement in Washington last week and if Hungary had not obtained an exception for the purchase of natural gas and oil, energy prices in Hungary would have tripled by Christmas.
“The Prime Minister and President Donald Trump agreed that Hungary will be exempt from US sanctions on the purchase of oil and natural gas from Russia. This is the essence,” emphasized Peter Szijjarto.