Hungarian–American relations have reached a historic high point, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Levente Magyar declared at the panel discussion The Washington Summit: A New Chapter in US–Hungary Relations, organized by the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs. Speaking about the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Washington, he stated that diplomatic ties have never been as intense and productive as they are now.
According to Magyar, the current stage of cooperation is not about showcasing personal friendship but delivering concrete, tangible results. He emphasized that both governments base their relationship on shared values and practical cooperation. As he put it, this moment represents both a peak and a springboard for further progress.
He highlighted that the key to the partnership is honesty and mutual respect for national interests. ‘For Hungarians, Hungary comes first; for Americans, it is their own homeland,’ he said, contrasting the Trump administration’s interest-driven approach with what he described as the ideological politics of the Obama or Biden era.
The war in Ukraine also featured prominently in the discussion. Magyar reiterated that Hungary is committed to securing peace as soon as possible, while, in his view, several Western European states continue to contemplate further escalation.
Robert Palladino, the outgoing chargé d’affaires of the US Embassy in Budapest, said the bilateral relationship had undergone a fundamental transformation over the past year. Ideological disputes, he argued, have given way to a shared understanding of national sovereignty and the importance of the family. He noted that the Washington summit produced long-term agreements in energy security, nuclear technology, and cultural cooperation.
‘The Washington summit produced long-term agreements in energy security, nuclear technology, and cultural cooperation’
Gladden Pappin, President of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, recalled that Hungary maintained a policy aligned with Trump’s values even during the former president’s time in opposition. He added that Trump’s suggestion of a potential future summit in Budapest was a significant acknowledgment of Hungarian diplomacy.
According to Pappin, Hungary’s consistency throughout recent years of crises, combined with its efforts toward energy independence, has made the country one of the region’s most reliable actors. He argued that the value-based, sovereignty-focused approach shared by Orbán and Trump could lay the foundations for a new era in international diplomacy.
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