Trump ‘committed’ to Hungarian PM Orban’s success, says Rubio throughout Central Europe tour | EUROtoday

President Donald Trump is dedicated to the success of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as a result of his management is essential for U.S. nationwide pursuits, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday, providing a powerful U.S. endorsement for the long-time nationalist chief who’s dealing with an election in April.

Speaking at a joint information convention with Orban in Budapest, Rubio stated U.S. ties with Hungary had been getting into a “golden era” however appeared to make that conditional on the continuation of Orban’s management.

“President Trump is deeply committed to your success, because your success is our success,” Rubio stated, standing subsequent to Orban. “We want this country to do well. It’s in our national interest, especially as long as you’re the prime minister and the leader of this country,” Rubio stated.

Orban is taken into account by many on the American hard-right as a mannequin for Trump’s powerful immigration insurance policies and assist for Christian conservatism.

Rubio, who additionally serves as Trump’s nationwide safety adviser, was on the second leg of a two-day tour of central Europe, visiting Slovakia and Hungary, whose conservative leaders have heat ties with Trump and are important of the European Union.

At an April 12 parliamentary election set to be keenly contested, Orban faces his largest problem since his Fidesz social gathering got here to energy in a landslide victory in 2010.

The vote could have main implications for Europe and its strengthening conservative and far-right political actions.

Orban, lengthy one among Trump’s closest allies in Europe, has typically clashed with the EU on a spread of points whereas sustaining cordial ties with Russia and criticising Ukraine.

On Saturday Rubio delivered a message of unity on the Munich Security Conference whereas sustaining the administration’s criticism of Europe following a scarring yr for Transatlantic ties.

Trump’s criticism of Europe, imposition of tariffs on EU international locations and his ambition to amass Greenland from fellow NATO member Denmark have prompted Western European leaders to more and more have a look at carving an impartial path.

“We expect every country in the world to act in their national interest. That is what countries are supposed to do,” Rubio stated. “When our national interests are aligned … this is an extraordinary opportunity for cooperation and partnership.”

Fico, who has stated the European Union is in “deep crisis”, visited Trump final month in Florida and showered the Republican president with reward, saying he would deliver peace.

In remarks earlier than departing Washington on Thursday, Rubio stated Trump could be very supportive of Orban, who’s trailing in most polls forward of an election in April when he may very well be voted out of energy.

Budapest has repeatedly hosted Conservative Political Action Conference occasions, which deliver collectively conservative activists and leaders, with one other due in March.

While different European Union international locations secured different power provides after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, together with by shopping for U.S. pure fuel, Slovakia and Hungary have continued to purchase Russian fuel and oil, a observe the U.S. has criticised.