BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Budapest on Monday for crucial meetings with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government. The two sides are expected to sign a civilian-nuclear cooperation agreement, a move that has garnered strong backing from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump's support for the nationalist Orbán is evident as the Hungarian leader prepares for a challenging reelection bid on April 12, marking the most significant electoral challenge for him and his Fidesz party since reclaiming power in 2010. Already facing difficulties, Orbán looks to reinforce his political position ahead of the vote.
Rubio's visit follows his attendance at the Munich Security Conference in Germany and a stop in Slovakia the previous day. Both Hungary and Slovakia, led by Euroskeptic populists who openly support Trump and oppose aid to Ukraine, provide a congenial backdrop for Rubio as he aims to strengthen energy partnerships with these Central European nations.
Orbán, often viewed as Russian President Vladimir Putin's most reliable advocate in the EU, has maintained cordial relations with the Kremlin despite its ongoing war in Ukraine. This political alignment has helped Orbán build rapport with Trump and the MAGA movement, which views Hungary as a model for successful conservative nationalism, despite the country's deteriorating democratic institutions and its classification as one of the EU's poorest nations.
In a recent post on his Truth Social website, Trump endorsed Orbán, praising him as a “truly strong and powerful Leader” and describing him as “a true friend, fighter, and WINNER.” Trump has consistently commended Orbán's staunch anti-immigration stance, exemplified by the fence erected on Hungary's southern border in 2015 which coincided with a surge of refugees from Syria and Africa.
Further galvanizing support among U.S. conservatives, Orbán's government last year demonstrated hostility towards LGBTQ+ rights by banning the Budapest Pride celebration and utilizing facial recognition technology to track participants. His administration has also effectively prohibited same-sex adoption and marriage and has restricted transgender individuals from altering their official identification documents.
Despite the EU's initiatives to reduce dependency on Russian energy supplies, Orbán continues to pursue Russian energy sources. His government even received an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy following a White House meeting with Trump in November.
Understanding the potential benefits of their political affinity, Orbán's administration is keen to attract Trump for a visit to Hungary before the pivotal elections, hoping that such an endorsement would bolster support for Orbán, who currently trails in polling figures.
Budapest has also hosted several editions of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), with one scheduled just prior to the April elections, further emphasizing the close ties between U.S. conservatives and Hungary.
