Hungary’s TISZA party is actively seeking an exemption from newly enacted U.S. sanctions that target countries continuing to purchase Russian oil and gas. This request arises amid concerns about the impact on Hungary’s energy supplies due to its heavy reliance on Russian imports.
Márton Hajdú, chairman of Hungary’s Foreign Affairs Committee, brought up the issue in discussions with Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The TISZA party is advocating for U.S. support in Hungary’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, as the country currently imports around 5 million tonnes of Russian crude oil and 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year.
The appeal follows the U.S. Congress’s passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on September 18. The legislation authorizes the U.S. administration to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, although there are provisions for conditions and exemptions.
As Hungary aims to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, the TISZA party is developing strategies to manage this transition while seeking exemption from the U.S. sanctions. The outcome of this request could significantly influence Hungary-U.S. relations as Washington assesses which major buyers of Russian energy might be subjected to these additional tariffs under the new legislation.