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Rubio for Talks in Hungary of ‘Friend’ Orbán

Published February 16, 2026, 09:15
Rubio for Talks in Hungary of ‘Friend’ Orbán

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has completed a short tour of Europe with a visit to Hungary, where he met with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The visit took place ahead of the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April, where Orbán faces a difficult challenge from the opposition. Rubio’s visit signals the support of U.S. President Trump for Orbán, who has cultivated a close relationship with Trump and Vladimir Putin. Rubio expressed his support for Orbán via Truth Social, praising the “unprecedented results” he has achieved. Orbán, for his part, has criticized “pseudo-civil organizations, bought journalists and judges,” using rhetoric similar to that of Trump. Rubio also visited Slovakia, where he met with Prime Minister Robert Fico, another nationalist leader considered close to Trump. Rubio’s tour aimed to encourage Europeans to defend “Western civilization” and align themselves with the vision of the U.S. government.