Karina Bovsunovska13:27, 16.04.25

The politician was accused of schemes designed to control several strategic sectors of the Hungarian economy.

The United States has removed a senior aide to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban from its sanctions list , a spokesman for US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, Politico reports . 

The spokesman stressed that US sanctions against a senior official in Orban’s government, Antal Rogan, were “incompatible with US foreign policy interests.”

According to him, the Secretary of State spoke with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to inform him that the restrictions had been lifted. 

What is Antal Rogan accused of?

The publication recalled that sanctions were imposed against Rogan after the US Treasury Department accused him of corruption, namely “organized schemes designed to control several strategic sectors of the Hungarian economy.”

At the time, the Ministry of Finance stated that the profits from such actions were directed “to himself and to reward loyal members of his political party.” 

“Minister Rogan played a central role in creating a system in Hungary that benefited himself and his party at the expense of the Hungarian people. Rogan’s activities are symbolic of a broader climate of impunity in Hungary, where key elements of the state have been captured by oligarchs and undemocratic actors,” the US State Department said in a statement . 

According to the sanctions imposed, Antal Rogan was not allowed to enter the United States. In addition, if he had assets there, they were to be frozen.

After the introduction of such restrictions, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that this was “personal revenge” against Rohan and emphasized that he was pleased that soon the United States “will be led by people who perceive Hungary as a friend, not an enemy” (at that time he meant the coming to power of Donald Trump – UNIAN).

(C)UNIAN 2025