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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Budapest – video
Marco Rubio, the United States Secretary of State, has arrived in Budapest for high-level talks with Hungarian leaders, with discussions expected to centre on efforts to end the war in Ukraine and the future of Hungarian-American relations.
Rubio’s plane landed on Sunday afternoon following his participation in the Munich Security Conference and a stop in Pozsony (Bratislava). He was received at the airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar.
Peace in Ukraine high on the agenda
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Szijjártó Péter said he would hold talks with Rubio about the prospects for peace in Ukraine and strengthening diplomatic cooperation between the two countries. Speaking to Kossuth Rádió, Szijjártó argued that while some European actors are undermining Washington’s peace efforts, Hungary continues to advocate for a negotiated settlement.
Rubio is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Orbán Viktor on Monday. The two leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference after their discussions.
“Golden era” of relations
Szijjártó described current bilateral ties as entering a “golden era” since the presidency of Donald Trump, highlighting record levels of American investment in Hungary over the past year. The Hungarian government has repeatedly emphasised closer economic and political cooperation with Washington.
According to Hungarian media reports, Budapest is also keen to secure a visit from Trump during the upcoming election campaign. If that proves unfeasible, sources suggest the government may seek a visit from Vice President J. D. Vance as an alternative.
Watch Rubio arrive in Budapest:
Rubio’s visit marks one of the most significant recent diplomatic engagements between Hungary and the United States, underscoring Budapest’s efforts to position itself as both a regional advocate for peace and a strategic partner of Washington.
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