US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Hungary on Sunday evening, following the conclusion of the Munich Security Conference in Germany, to hold talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The meeting comes ahead of what many consider a tough legislative election for the nationalist leader against a resurging opposition.
This visit marks Rubio’s final stop in Europe, which also included an address at the MSC and talks with right-wing ally Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
US President Donald Trump praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in a social media post on Friday, describing his results as “phenomenal”. However, Orban, aged 62, faces a challenging electoral battle.
In a speech on Saturday, Orban insisted he would continue his fight against “pseudo-civil organisations, bought journalists, judges, and politicians”—rhetoric reminiscent of Trump’s style.
Orban has repeatedly criticised Brussels for its “staunch support of Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia.”
He and European leaders remain at loggerheads over accusations that he is silencing critical voices in the judiciary, academia, the media, and civil society, as well as targeting minorities.
Rubio is scheduled to hold talks with Orban today before returning to the United States.
The decision to visit Fico and Orban — both viewed as close allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump — sends a clear diplomatic signal.
On Saturday, Rubio called on Europe to join Trump in defending Western civilisation against the threat of mass immigration, or risk being sidelined.
“We want to be your partner. We want to work with Europe. We want to work with our allies,” he said.
Also read: Macron, Merz call for greater realignment of EU
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