Trump welcomes Hungary's Viktor Orbán to the White House

Описание: (7 Nov 2025)
Clients note: This item contains on-screen graphics, including AP branding.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Washington DC - 7 November 2025
1. Cutaway of US President Donald Trump walking out of White House to greet Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán's motorcade arriving, he gets out and is greeted by Trump, they pose, Trump mouths "Great Leader" and walks into White House
STORYLINE:
US President Donald Trump welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to the White House Friday.

Orban's priority during their meeting will be convincing the U.S. administration to turn a blind eye to Hungary's dogged commitment to buying Russian oil, a potential test of how deep the affinity goes between the two friendly leaders.

The Hungarian leader, once an outspoken opponent of Russia's dominance of Hungary during the Cold War, has in the last decade made a dramatic shift toward Moscow that has baffled his opponents and many earlier allies.

Widely considered Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most reliable advocate in the European Union, Orbán has maintained warm relations with the Kremlin despite its war against Ukraine.

He has also curried favor with Trump and his MAGA movement, which views Hungary as a shining example of conservative nationalism despite the erosion of its democratic institutions.

But now, as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches its fourth anniversary, Orbán is under increasing pressure from both Brussels and Washington to end Hungary's reliance on Russian oil, a resource seen as critical for funding Moscow's war.

Last month, the Trump administration levied sanctions on Russian state-affiliated energy giants Lukoil and Rosneft that could expose their foreign buyers — like India, China and Hungary — to secondary sanctions.

Yet the Hungarian leader hopes his personal relationship with Trump will score him points at Friday's meeting, the first between the two leaders since Trump retook office in January. In comments to state radio last week, Orbán made clear he would try to “make the Americans understand” that Hungary needs a carve out for its continued purchases of Russian energy.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected].

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...