The Hungarian authorities have appealed to the US Congress, requesting that new sanctions targeted at major buyers of Russian oil and gas not be applied to their country.

Operativ Media reports that Marton Hajdu, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian Parliament, shared this information following his visit to Washington.

Hajdu stated that he met with Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the US. He requested support for Hungary's efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy resources and diversify its energy supplies.

The committee chairman also revealed that he requested that punitive measures the US might impose for purchasing Russian energy resources during the transition period not apply to Hungary.

According to him, Hungary builds its relations with the US based on long-term interests and common values.

Hajdu noted that he had also discussed this issue with his American counterparts during a visit to Washington in July, when a bill on new sanctions against Russia was being drafted in Congress.

On September 18, US President Donald Trump signed a bill aimed at tightening sanctions against Russia. According to the document, secondary sanctions can be imposed on Russia's main trading partners.

The law allows for the imposition of 100% import tariffs on countries that are major buyers of Russian oil and gas, a group that includes Hungary. However, exemptions from the sanctions can be granted if it aligns with US national security interests.

During his meetings in Washington, Hajdu provided information on the steps Hungary is taking to diversify its energy supply and eliminate its energy dependence on Russia.

It was noted that the new Hungarian government, led by Peter Magyar, plans to achieve this goal by 2035. Hajdu stated that under such circumstances, it would be undesirable for Hungary to be subjected to US sanctions.

Hungary currently receives most of its oil from Russia via the "Druzhba" pipeline, and its gas through "TurkStream" and its branches passing through Bulgaria and Serbia.

According to data from the previous government of Viktor Orban, in 2025, Hungary imported more than 8.5 million tons of oil and over 7 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia.