Hungarian Prime Minister for Life Viktor Orban has been using his EU vote to prevent Ukraine from talks on membership. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Orban’s move shows “specific support” for Putin (EuroNews). Zelensky also says that Hungary has not done enough to ween itself from Russian supplied gas.

US President (gave up on the for life part) Donald Trump is hosting Orban in Washington DC. Orban is looking for an exemption from sanctions the US is placing on Russian energy sales. Trump and Orban exchanged pleasantries and bro compliments.

President Donald Trump welcomed Hungary’s autocratic leader Viktor Orban to the White House on Friday, praising him repeatedly as a “great leader” as met sat to discuss trade and Russia’s war in Ukraine. “I like and respect him,” Trump said as he and Orban sat for lunch with their teams in the Cabinet Room, specifically applauding Orban’s views on immigration and crime. Orban in turn celebrated what he said will be a “golden age between the United States and Hungary” with Trump’s return to office. ABC News

Trump was happy to grant Hungary a one year reprieve from sanction, probably to be renewed at termination. Russian President for Life Vladimir Putin will be able to freely sell oil to Hungary. (CNN)

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