US President Donald Trump said that Washington does not intend to exclude Hungary from the sanctions list imposed against countries importing Russian oil.
Thus, the head of the White House, in an interview with journalists, responded to the relevant request of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
"He asked to exclude, but we have not yet given permission, but he asked," RIA Novosti quoted Trump as saying.
Earlier, Washington announced a new package of anti-Russian sanctions, under which measures were introduced against Russian energy suppliers and their subsidiaries. Among them was Lukoil, which supplies oil to Hungarian refineries.
The day before, Viktor Orban himself told media representatives that during a meeting with Trump next week he would try to convince him to make an exception for Budapest from the recently imposed sanctions against the Russian oil sector.
"If we want to be exempted from US sanctions aimed at Russia, then we must make America understand this strange situation," the prime minister said.
He noted that the introduction of new restrictions against the Russian oil sector was Trump's mistake. Orban assured that he would try to find a way out of this situation, especially for his country.
Recall that the meeting of the Hungarian Prime Minister and the US President is to take place in Washington, November 7. Budapest believes that these talks will help bring Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin closer.
Earlier, EADaily reported that Hungary is preparing to adopt a law on the creation of reserve filling stations for refueling critical vehicles. The bill appeared after the United States announced sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil.