U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Budapest on Monday for meetings with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Hungarian officials, during which the two countries are set to sign a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump has publicly supported Orbán, a nationalist leader, in his bid for reelection on April 12, amid what is considered his most serious political challenge since retaking power in 2010 with the Fidesz party.
Rubio’s visit to Hungary follows his stop in Slovakia on Sunday and attendance at the Munich Security Conference in Germany earlier this month. Both Hungary and Slovakia, led by Euroskeptic populists who oppose support for Ukraine and align with Trump’s policies, are considered strategic partners for the U.S. in Central Europe, particularly regarding energy and nuclear agreements.
Orbán, widely regarded as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most reliable ally in the EU, has maintained warm ties with Moscow while simultaneously cultivating a strong relationship with Trump and the MAGA movement. Trump endorsed Orbán on Truth Social earlier this month, calling him a “truly strong and powerful Leader” and “a true friend, fighter, and WINNER.”
Domestically, Orbán’s government has been criticized for policies restricting LGBTQ+ rights, including banning the Budapest Pride celebration, prohibiting same-sex adoption and marriage, and limiting transgender individuals’ ability to update official documents.
Despite EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy, Orbán has continued to purchase Russian supplies and received an exemption from U.S. sanctions after a November White House meeting with Trump.
Political analysts suggest Orbán is leveraging his relationship with the U.S. leader to gain an advantage ahead of Hungary’s pivotal April 12 elections, where he currently trails in most opinion polls. Budapest has also hosted several annual editions of CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference), with a 2026 session rescheduled to March, shortly before the elections, highlighting the city’s growing role in conservative transatlantic networks.
