Hungary’s Orban wins exemption in EU Russian oil embargo

By JUSTIN SPIKE
Associated Press

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s divisive leader has once again got his own way with the European Union. This time in tough negotiations on Russian oil at a summit in Brussels. And nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban wasn’t shy about trumpeting his success in leveraging the bloc to win significant concessions. Hungary will be allowed to continue purchasing Russian crude even as war rages on in neighboring Ukraine. Orban said Tuesday the European Commission’s “proposal to ban the use of Russian oil in Hungary was defeated.” He added that “families can sleep well tonight as the most outrageous idea has been averted.” EU leaders concluded four weeks of negotiations on Monday to impose a partial embargo on Russian oil imports.