U.S. President Donald Trump is committed to the success of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán because his leadership is key to American national interests, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a visit to Budapest, expressing strong U.S. support for Orbán ahead of the April 12 elections.
Rubio stated that U.S.–Hungary relations have entered a “golden era” but appeared to tie that progress to Orbán remaining in office.
“President Trump is deeply committed to your success because your success is our success. We want this country to prosper. That is in our national interest, especially while you are prime minister and leader of this country,” Rubio said. He also visited Slovakia a day earlier.
Trump has already publicly endorsed Orbán ahead of the elections, in which the Hungarian leader faces his toughest challenge since taking office in 2010.
“If you are facing financial difficulties, if you are dealing with obstacles to growth, if you are confronting issues that threaten the stability of your country, I know that President Trump would be very interested because of his relationship with you and because of the importance of this country to us,” Rubio added.
Rubio and Orbán are expected to sign a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which Trump had previously announced.
