U.S. Signals Backing for Orbán
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest to deliver a clear message from former President Donald Trump, praising Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and emphasizing the benefits of their personal relationship. Speaking after the Munich Security Conference, Rubio highlighted Hungary’s recent one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil imports as an example of the advantages of that connection, saying, “We want you to continue… your success is our success.”
During his Central Europe trip, Rubio also visited Slovakia, meeting with Prime Minister Robert Fico. Both Fico and Orbán have been outspoken Trump supporters and critics of the European Union. In Budapest, the U.S. and Hungarian foreign ministers signed an energy cooperation deal, calling the partnership a “golden age” of bilateral relations.
Election Challenges and Ukrainian Claims
Orbán is facing a tough contest in Hungary’s April elections, with polls showing the opposition Tisza Party ahead of his ruling Fidesz, which has governed since 2010. Orbán accused neighboring Ukraine of interfering in the campaign to support Tisza, arguing that Kyiv seeks to advance its EU accession. Hungary has blocked negotiating chapters with Ukraine in response.
Despite the challenges, Orbán reassured the public that he would respect election results. He cited his long experience both as Hungary’s prime minister and as an opposition leader to underline that power would transfer according to the will of the people.
Trump Visit and U.S.–Hungary Relations
Orbán reiterated that Trump has an open invitation to visit Hungary before the elections, though no date has been set. He hinted that uncertainty around the visit might increase its likelihood.
Rubio did not meet with Tisza Party representatives during his trip, but the opposition welcomed the visit, stressing that strong U.S.–Hungary relations are important regardless of the election outcome.
