Trump has met with Orban to discuss Russian oil and economic cooperation
On the other hand, Zelensky said he doesn't know what Trump means when he says they're taking "significant steps" to end the conflict.
U.S.President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister\u00A0 Viktor Orban met this Friday at the White House to discuss Hungary's dependence on Russian oil and possible economic agreements between the two countries.
This is the first bilateral meeting between the two leaders since Trump's return to power in January. Specifically, the meeting is part of Moscow's strategy to significantly reduce funding for the Ukrainian War , which aims to reduce European countries' use of Russia's energy.
Hungary, on the other hand, is still heavily dependent on Russia's energy, which has provoked criticism from the European Union and NATO. Orban wants exemptions from US energy sanctions and wants to promote a meeting between Washington and Moscow .
Trump and Orban talks have been consolidated over time, despite tensions over the proximity of the Hungarian government to China.
Hungary, moreover, is largely dependent on Russian energy: by 2024, 74% of its gas and 86% of its oil came from Russia, according to the International Monetary Fund. The organization also warned that the cut in Russian supply could reduce Hungary's GDP by more than 4%, and that the country's economy remains vulnerable despite efforts to diversify gas in Azerbaijan and Qatar.
In this context, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski has said that he does not know what Trump is talking about when he talks about "significant progress"in ending the conflict. In this regard, he has expressed confidence that Trump will finally give Tomahawk his approval to the delivery of missiles." This issue is already on the table. It is only a matter of time, "he said.
"The enemy's goal is to occupy Pokrovsk as soon as possible, "Zelensky stressed, adding that 314 Russian soldiers have managed to break the siege of Ukraine and enter the city.
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