BUDAPEST, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's exemption from newly introduced U.S. sanctions targeting Russian energy purchases entered into force on Friday, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
In a video message sent from Brussels, Szijjarto told the press that the United States' latest measures against Russia's energy sector formally took effect the same day. However, according to the recent agreement reached in Washington between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and U.S. President Donald Trump, the latest U.S. sanctions against Russia's energy sector will not apply to Hungary.
He said Washington had notified Budapest that the exemption was active from Friday, ensuring the continuity of Hungary's energy supplies.
Last week, Orban clarified that the U.S. exemption was not valid for one year only, as reported by several media and U.S. sources, but for "as long as" the current Hungarian government is in office and Trump leads the U.S. administration.
Responding to earlier comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who suggested Ukraine might halt oil deliveries to Hungary, Szijjarto said Ukraine should consider its own energy dependence on Hungary. He noted that in October, 51 percent of Ukraine's electricity imports came from Hungary -- more than from all other countries combined.
Hungary is heavily reliant on pipeline crude delivered through the Druzhba network, which supplies several Central European countries. Budapest has repeatedly argued that abrupt changes to its supply routes would threaten its economy and household energy security. ■