US Diplomat Marco Rubio Praises Close Ties with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban Amid Election Campaign

Top US diplomatMarco RubiometHungary'sPrime MinisterViktor Orbanon Monday and said President Donald Trump was deeply committed to Hungary's success. Rubio endorsed Orban's efforts to secure a fifth consecutive term despitelagging in the polls, praising his rapport with the US leader. "I'm going to be very blunt with you," Rubio said during a joint press conference with Orban after their meeting. "The prime minister and the president have a very, very close personal relationship and working relationship, and I think it has been beneficial to our two countries." "That person-to-person connection that you've established with the president has made all the difference in the world in building this relationship." "I can say to you with confidence that President Trump is deeply committed to your success because your success is our success," Rubio said. Rubio said the US and Hungary were entering a "golden era" in bilateral ties. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser thatsupports HTML5 video Orban said he assured Rubio that Hungary continued to support US peace efforts in Ukraine and remained open to hosting a peace summit. He also said the next government in Budapest would "be created after the election in Hungary based on the intention of the Hungarians." "Sometimes I lose, sometimes I win," said Orban, who has been in power since 2010. "So don't be afraid what will be if we are not winning because it's regularly happened here," he added. Rubio's visit included talks with Orban's government, with the two sides signing a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement promoted by President Trump. The deal includes the possible purchase of compact nuclear reactors, also known as small modular reactors, as well as US-supplied nuclear fuel and spent fuel storage technology. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said nuclear energy was a way to keep household energy prices affordable in the long term. Budapest was the latest stop onRubio's regional trip after a visit to Slovakiaand his attendance at theMunich Security Conference in Germany. Slovakia and Hungary, led byeurosceptic populists who oppose support for Ukraine and openly back Trump, have offered receptive ground as Rubio pushes to lock in energy agreements across Central Europe. Trump has been outspoken in his support for Orban as he seeks reelection. Orban and his Fidesz party are facing their most serious electoral challenge since returning to power in 2010, with the vote set for April 12. Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar launched his party's election campaign in Budapest on Sunday, , promising to restore Hungary's Western orientation amid concerns about democratic backsliding. A former insider in Orban's nationalist Fidesz party, Magyar broke with former colleagues to quickly form the center-right Tisza party. Independent polls show he holds a significant lead ahead of the vote on April 12. Edited by: Louis Oelofse