Hungary’s TISZA party is pushing for an exemption from recent U.S. sanctions targeting nations that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas, citing concerns over energy supply disruptions. The request was made following the U.S. Congress’s approval of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, signed by President Donald Trump on September 18, which empowers the U.S. administration to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy.
Márton Hajdú, chairman of Hungary’s Foreign Affairs Committee, addressed the issue during discussions with Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives. He emphasized the TISZA party’s intention to secure U.S. support for Hungary’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, reducing reliance on Russian imports.
Hungary currently imports approximately 5 million tonnes of Russian crude oil and 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, highlighting the country’s significant dependence on Russian energy. The TISZA party has expressed plans to develop initiatives aimed at decreasing this dependency while simultaneously seeking an exemption from the new U.S. sanctions.
The implementation of this legislation could significantly impact Hungary-U.S. relations as Washington determines which major buyers of Russian energy might be subjected to the additional tariffs. The outcome of these decisions will likely play a critical role in shaping Hungary’s future energy strategy and its diplomatic ties with the United States.