Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has announced that his government is “working on finding a solution” to circumvent the new U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft. While Orbán did not provide any details, his statement suggested that Budapest may attempt to sidestep Washington’s restrictions in order to maintain access to Russian energy supplies.

The sanctions, introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump in the first major move of his second term, are designed to increase pressure on Moscow and compel Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. The measures have already caused a spike in global oil prices, sparking concern among Central European nations heavily dependent on Russian crude.

Hungary and Slovakia — both connected to Russia through the Druzhba pipeline, which delivers the bulk of their oil imports — have been among the most affected EU member states. Orbán’s government has long resisted efforts by Brussels to fully phase out Russian energy, arguing that such a move would devastate Hungary’s economy.

The Hungarian prime minister, known for his pro-Russian stance and frequent clashes with Western allies, has previously sought exemptions from EU sanctions on Russian energy products. His latest remarks indicate that Budapest may now be exploring alternative payment channels or legal loopholes to continue its cooperation with Lukoil and Rosneft despite Washington’s new restrictions.

The United States has not yet commented directly on Orbán’s statement, but analysts warn that any attempt by Hungary to undermine U.S. sanctions could lead to further diplomatic tensions between Budapest and both Washington and Brussels.

As oil prices continue to rise and Hungary’s reliance on Russian energy remains high, Orbán faces a difficult balancing act — maintaining his strategic partnership with Moscow while avoiding isolation within NATO and the European Union.