Strong Ties Highlighted in Budapest
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest to convey support from former President Donald Trump to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose ruling Fidesz party is trailing the opposition ahead of April elections. Speaking alongside Orbán, Rubio praised the personal relationship the Hungarian leader has built with Trump, noting it has strengthened bilateral ties and benefited Hungary’s economy.
Rubio highlighted last November’s one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil imports as an example of the payoff from this relationship. “It was because of that personal relationship. It’s because we want you to continue. After all, we want this economy to prosper, we want this country to do well,” Rubio said. He framed Orbán’s success as aligned with U.S. interests, describing it as a mutual benefit.
During his Central European tour, Rubio also visited Slovakia, meeting leaders similarly supportive of Trump. In Budapest, the U.S. and Hungarian foreign ministers signed an energy cooperation agreement, calling the current period a “golden age” for bilateral relations. Orbán remains the only European leader to openly endorse Trump’s re-election.
Election Tensions and Allegations of Interference
Orbán addressed Hungary’s upcoming vote, claiming that neighboring Ukraine is attempting to influence the election to favor the opposition Tisza Party, which polls suggest is currently leading. The government argues Ukraine wants Hungary to lift its veto on EU accession talks for Kyiv, and Orbán said his team is fully aware of how opponents are funded.
Despite the heated rhetoric, Orbán rejected concerns about refusing to transfer power if defeated. “I spent 16 years as the leader of the opposition. There is no need to be afraid of what will happen in Hungary. The next government will be created after the election based on the intention of the Hungarian people,” he said.
Trump Visit Remains Unconfirmed
Orbán reiterated that Trump has an open invitation to visit Hungary before the elections, though no official date has been set. “The less we know anything certain about something, the more possible it might happen,” he said.
Rubio did not meet representatives of the Tisza Party, but the opposition welcomed his visit, emphasizing that strong U.S.–Hungarian relations remain a priority regardless of which party wins.
