U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio today in Budapest supported Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of the April elections, in which Orban is competing for a fifth consecutive term. Rubio also emphasized the close personal ties between the Hungarian leader and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Orban, who has been in power in Hungary since 2010, is considered one of Trump’s most prominent allies in the European Union. Ahead of the April 12 elections, regarded as his biggest challenge in the past 16 years, Orban has been intensively working on strengthening ties with the American president.
Agreement on nuclear cooperation
In the Hungarian capital, Rubio signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Orban and members of his government. The agreement opens the possibility for Hungary to purchase American compact nuclear reactors, known as small modular reactors, as well as American nuclear fuel and storage technology.
At a press conference, Rubio stated that U.S.-Hungarian relations, which both sides under the Trump administration described as a “golden age,” go beyond ordinary diplomatic cooperation.
“Frankly speaking, the prime minister and the president have an exceptionally close personal and professional relationship, which I believe has benefited both of our countries,” Rubio said.
Addressing Orban directly, Rubio added: “The personal connection you have built with the president has been crucial for the development of our relations. President Trump cares deeply about your success, because your success is also our success.”
Friendly ground
The visit to Hungary followed Rubio’s stay in Slovakia on Sunday, and earlier his participation at the Munich Security Conference. Given that Slovakia and Hungary are led by Eurosceptic populists who oppose sending aid to Ukraine and openly support Trump, both countries represent friendly ground for Rubio in his efforts to conclude energy agreements.
Orban is often considered within the European Union to be the most reliable ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has maintained good relations with the Kremlin despite the war in Ukraine, while simultaneously building ties with Trump and his Make America Great Again movement.
Despite the European Union’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy sources, Orban has continued purchasing Russian energy, and after a meeting with Trump at the White House in November he received an exemption from U.S. sanctions. Rubio on Monday did not wish to specify the duration of that exemption, bearing in mind the European Union’s plan to completely end the use of Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027.
On Monday, Orban conveyed to Rubio his government’s readiness to host a possible trilateral peace summit of the United States, Russia and Ukraine, and said that Trump has an “open invitation” to visit Budapest.
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Source: Kurir, Foto: Alex Brandon / AP