Marking a key moment in US-Hungary relations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Budapest to oversee the signing of a civil-nuclear agreement and join Prime Minister Viktor Orban for a revealing press conference. Rubio pointedly reminded Orban of the Trump-era grace: a full-year reprieve from US penalties on Russian oil and gas imports.
Pinpointing the rationale, Rubio said, ‘It stemmed from the solid Trump-Orban connection. We aim for your economic vitality and prosperity—vital to us while you lead.’ This leniency stood out as Hungary persisted with Russian energy after the 2022 Ukraine assault, facing backlash from European and NATO peers.
With finesse, Rubio addressed Iran and China concerns, championing dialogue over detachment. ‘We’re realistic about global interconnections—no one’s isolating anyone,’ he noted on China. Highlighting Trump’s April China visit, he reasoned, ‘A superpower with billions, vast economy, nukes—silence is suicidal. We manage disagreements.’ Iran, he labeled a ‘staunch ideological state,’ yet pursuits continue.
Orban celebrated 17 US investments from Trump’s time as harbingers of a ‘golden era.’ Rubio amplified this vision, committing to peace initiatives like sole US leverage in Russia-Ukraine talks and Iran negotiations. The agreements herald deeper cooperation, blending energy pragmatism, nuclear advancement, and a refreshed alliance narrative in an era of geopolitical flux.