The Hungarian government is seeking an extension of the U.S. exemption for imports of Russian oil and gas

The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar will ask the United States to extend by one year the exemption allowing Hungary to use Russian oil and gas, Foreign Minister Anita Orban told Index.hu on Thursday. The exemption is due to expire in November, and Budapest cites the time needed to adapt its energy infrastructure.

The agreement was negotiated by U.S. President Donald Trump and former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who lost the April election after 16 years at the helm of the country. Anita Orban said the government is already working to extend the exemption, while energy group MOL needs more time to carry out the technological changes required to diversify its sources of supply.

According to S&P Global, more than 90% of Hungary’s oil and gas imports come from Russia via pipelines crossing Ukraine, Bulgaria and Serbia. This dependence represents a vulnerability for the Hungarian economy amid the European Union’s efforts to reduce imports of Russian energy following the invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

Although Viktor Orban has maintained close ties with the Kremlin, Hungarian authorities recently expelled 10 Russian diplomats, accusing them of acting incompatibly with their status.