Orban Dangles Energy Deals to Sway Trump on Russia Oil Sanctions

Viktor Orban expected a political boon and a flood of investments after Donald Trump was re-elected to the US presidency. A year later, the Hungarian prime minister is going to the White House with cap in hand.

Despite Orban’s kinship with the MAGA right that’s propelled Trump to power, the Hungarian leader — due to visit Washington Friday — is seeking a reprieve from Russian oil sanctions. The measures threaten to undermine his already shaky bid for a fifth consecutive term in an election next year.