Trump Put Orban And Fitzo In An Uncomfortable Position

• 16.09.2025, 15:47

The US president has issued an ultimatum on Russian oil purchases.

US President Donald Trump has escalated the issue of sanctions against Russia, saying he is ready to support new restrictions only if NATO countries completely refuse to buy Russian oil, writes National Security Journal (translated by Charter97.org).

His post on the social network Truth Social directly hit the prime ministers of Hungary Viktor Orban and Slovakia Robert Fitzo - the only EU leaders who continue to rely on Russian supplies.

"I am ready to impose serious sanctions against Russia when all NATO countries stop buying its oil. Just say the word and we will start," Trump wrote.

While Russian oil accounted for 27% of EU oil imports in 2022, it has fallen to 3% by 2024. Virtually all of it is supplied to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline.

Now, analysts say, the consequences could be twofold. First, Brussels gets an additional lever of pressure on Budapest and Bratislava, if they resist the demands of the European Union, it will be much more difficult to ignore the demands of Trump, with whom both leaders maintain friendly relations.

Second, the signal was received in Kiev. Ukraine may cut off Druzhba, which would effectively deprive Hungary and Slovakia of Russian fuel. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has admitted: if supplies stop, the countries simply have no alternative sources.

Orban and Fitzo are expected to protest loudly, but their options are limited. In fact, Trump has made them dependent not only on the decisions of Brussels and Kiev, but also on his own political line.