Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is preparing for re-election in April, that President Donald Trump is “strongly supportive” of Hungary’s progress.
“President Trump is truly committed to your success, because your success is our success. We wish for this country to thrive, and that aligns with our national interests, especially while you are the prime minister,” Rubio expressed.said Prime Minister Orbán attended a joint news conference in Budapest on Monday.
“We’re experiencing a peak in bilateral relations, not just due to our people’s alignment but also because of the bond we share with the president of the United States,” Rubio noted.
“Should we encounter financial challenges or any threats to our stability, President Trump will be highly interested—given the relationship between our countries and the significance of this nation, we can look for ways to provide support if needed,” Rubio added.
“Honestly, the prime minister and the president maintain a close personal and professional relationship, which I believe has benefited both nations,” Rubio commented.said during a press conference with reporters.
In reaction, Prime Minister Orbán indicated his eagerness to facilitate a peace summit involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, mentioning that he has an “open invitation” for Trump to visit Budapest at his convenience.
Prime Minister Orbán also criticized President Zelenskiy for hesitating to supply military and financial assistance to Ukraine, expressing some reluctance to welcome him, arguing it might interfere with Hungary’s upcoming general election.
Last month, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelenskiy adopted a particularly aggressive stance, declaring, “Every Victor who depends on European money and undermines European interests deserves to have his head turned upside down.”
“Just because he feels at home in Moscow, it doesn’t mean that the capital of Europe should resemble a miniature Moscow,” Zelenskiy remarked.
In response, Orbán suggested that Zelenskiy is “a man in a hopeless position,” who is either “unable or unwilling to bring the war to an end.”
Zelenskiy and Orbán exchanged barbs again at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, where Zelenskiy mocked Orbán for prioritizing personal matters over military needs against Russian aggression. made fun of Orbán’s focus on “how to grow the belly,” instead of military strength. answered Orbán, asserting he would do all he could to block Ukraine’s EU membership.
Orbán stands out as one of Trump’s strongest backers in Europe, sharing concerns about mass immigration’s threat to civilization and the significance of promoting traditional Western values. Rubio met with Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, another of Trump’s loyal allies in Europe.
Currently, Orbán is trailing in polls ahead of the election, with significant support for his opponent, Piotr Magyar, a former member of the Fidesz party.
Magyar took the helm of the center-right opposition party Tisa in 2024 and officially launched his campaign on Sunday, aiming to end Orbán’s 16-year leadership. His campaign criticizes Orbán’s economic policies and his amicable ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though his government plans to largely maintain Orbán’s strict immigration policies.
On Sunday, President Magyar engaged with European leaders at the Munich conference, subsequently hosting a press session where he vowed to reverse Orbán’s “exit from the European Union.”
“Hungary’s future lies in Europe, not just because Hungary needs Europe, but also because Europe needs Hungary,” he remarked.
