Robert Palladino was appointed as the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Budapest in March of this year. However, his interim tenure is now drawing to a close, as Benjamin Landa is set to assume the role of permanent Ambassador. Landa’s nomination was officially announced in October.
Mr Palladino has enjoyed a distinguished and wide-ranging career as a diplomat. Prior to taking up his post in Budapest, he served as Deputy Executive Secretary in the Office of the Secretary of State. He is spending his final days in the Hungarian capital before returning to the United States to continue his service in a new role.
Bryan Leib, Senior Fellow at the Center for Fundamental Rights and the foreign policy adviser to US Congressman Abe Hamadeh of Arizona, posted a heartfelt message on his X page addressed to Mr Palladino as his time in Budapest comes to an end. Mr Leib, a notable figure in US–Hungary relations who was once considered for the Hungarian ambassadorship himself, had extensive contact with the outgoing embassy head during his tenure.
‘My dear friend Robert Palladino is winding down his service to the United States of America and President Donald J. Trump at the US Embassy in Budapest. Over the last 10 months, we’ve had extensive conversations in person, on the phone, via email and via text. I was one of the first Americans to reach out to him when I learned he was being sent to Budapest. We started as total strangers, and now I’m proud to call him my friend. He is the consummate professional and truly gives a good name to the career diplomat. I applaud him for everything he’s done to repair and strengthen the ironclad alliance between the United States and Hungary. I look forward to continuing our friendship for the years to come. G-dspeed, Robert!’ Leib wrote.
Related articles:
