MAGYAR SUPPORTS EASING SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN DIESEL

BUDAPEST, OCTOBER 18 /SRNA/ - Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has backed the agreement between Russia and the United States to ease sanctions on trade in Russian diesel fuel, expressing hope that US President Donald Trump’s administration will extend Budapest’s exemption from sanctions targeting Russian energy supplies.

"The US president can make whatever deals he wants. On the other hand, this agreement is significant for Hungary," Magyar said, Russia Today reported.

He reminded that Hungary has an exemption from sanctions on Russian oil until November and expressed hope that the Trump administration would extend the exemption for at least another year.

Trump eased restrictions on exports of Russian diesel fuel following a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, in an effort to curb rising global fuel prices.

The deal has drawn sharp criticism in the EU, where it has been described as a highly risky move that could undermine the entire Western sanctions policy toward Russia.

Moscow said it would immediately deliver 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, followed by another 500,000 tonnes next month.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced today that the fuel would reach the US market within 15 to 20 days of the signing of the relevant contracts between Russian and American companies, which are currently under discussion.