Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will visit U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on November 7, his chief of staff said on Thursday. The two leaders are expected to discuss a potential U.S.–Russia meeting to broker peace in Ukraine, along with energy sanctions and bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors.
Why It Matters
Orban, one of Trump’s closest European allies, is positioning himself as a potential intermediary between Washington and Moscow. His visit comes amid heightened tensions over U.S. sanctions on Russian energy firms, which Hungary relies on for oil and gas imports. Budapest is seeking an exemption to keep purchasing Russian crude without penalty.
Key Issues
According to Chief of Staff Gergely Gulyas, the agenda includes finalising cooperation agreements in energy, defence, economy, and finance. Orban hopes to offset the effects of U.S. tariffs on the EU with a new economic deal with Washington.
Trump and Orban are also expected to explore a “roadmap” toward a possible U.S.–Russia summit, which could lay groundwork for a Ukraine peace process.
What’s Next
Orban’s Washington visit marks the first bilateral meeting between the two since Trump’s return to the White House. The Hungarian leader has described Trump’s presidency as a potential “golden era” for U.S.–Hungary relations.
With information from Reuters.
