Senators Hit Hungary Over Russian Oil Before Trump-Orban Meeting

A bipartisan group of US senators has called on Hungary to halt its purchases of Russian energy ahead of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's meeting with President Donald Trump. The senators' letter expresses concern over Hungary's continued reliance on Russian oil and gas, which they argue undermines US and European efforts to isolate Russia economically in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The senators assert that Hungary's energy deals with Russia "directly undermine" the effectiveness of international sanctions and urge Orban to take steps to diversify Hungary's energy sources away from Russian imports. The letter comes as Orban, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is set to meet with Trump at the White House on Friday. The senators' intervention highlights the ongoing tensions between Hungary and its Western allies over energy policy and Russia's aggression in Ukraine. The issue is likely to feature prominently in discussions between Orban and Trump.