WASHINGTON -The United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions connected to using Russian energy, a White House official said on Friday.

US President Donald Trump has exempted Hungary from sanctions over buying Russian oil and gas for one year, a White House official confirmed for the BBC. Earlier, Trump said he would consider the exemption from sanctions, which are aimed at helping to end the Ukraine war, for Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orban.

By Nandita Bose, Jeff Mason, Anita Komuves and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump heaped praise on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday at a White House meeting that glossed over differences about Hungary's use of Russian oil and its disputes with fellow members of the European Union about immigration and Ukraine.