Hungary seeks US sanctions exemption over Russian energy

Hungary’s new government has asked for an exemption from US sanctions targeting Russian energy buyers, despite pledging to reduce the country’s dependence on supplies from Moscow.The request comes after US President Donald Trump signed a sweeping expansion of sanctions against Russia into law on Friday. The legislation, criticized by the Kremlin as an “unfriendly move,” allows tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major buyers of Russian oil and gas, while providing for exemptions on US national security grounds.The Hungarian Foreign Ministry approached the US State Department over the potential impact of the legislation before it was adopted, according to local media reports on Monday. The issue was also raised in Washington last week by Marton Hajdu, chairman of the Hungarian parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the ruling Tisza party.Hajdu said he told Republican lawmakers that Tisza was aware of the “risks and disadvantages of dependence on Russian energy,” while asking them to help exempt Hungary from the measures.Washington reportedly said the legislation could apply to Hungary only after its existing US sanctions exemption expires on November 21 and if it is ...