Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is set to visit the United States next week for a meeting with Donald Trump. The main item on the agenda is Hungary’s potential move away from Russian oil. These discussions come as new sanctions against Russia threaten to reduce the country's oil exports by up to 50%.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected statements by Kirill Dmitriev made in Washington, insisting that Russia maintains its position: it demands Ukraine's full withdrawal from Donbas as a condition for ending the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a ceasefire plan would be announced within the week, but expressed doubt about Russia’s willingness to accept it. He clarified that, while direct talks are not ongoing, diplomatic channels for information exchange remain active.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian special forces struck a fuel depot in Starobilsk with drones, and neutralized the son of Russian General Arkady Marzoyev, implicated in war crimes.
The article notes that the US expects Hungary to reduce reliance on Russian energy. Greek shipping companies are beginning to limit Russian oil transport due to sanction risks, while the EU remains the largest buyer of Russian gas. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands continue to increase their imports.
Despite some economic growth in Russia, a rising share of citizens report worsening conditions. The European Union, for its part, is discussing options for expanding financial support for Ukraine, with a decision expected by December 18.
