Hungarian Prime Minister states that the removal of sanctions and cessation of funding for hostile NGOs have reestablished relations.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban aims to initiate a fresh chapter in US relations during his Washington visit this week.
Orban, a staunch conservative political ally of former US President Donald Trump, commented on X Thursday that fresh opportunities have surfaced after a period of strained relations during the Joe Biden administration.
“Politically motivated sanctions have been lifted, US funding for NGOs critical of Hungary has ceased, and visa-free travel to the United States has been reinstated. This marks the conclusion of the initial phase,” Orban wrote.
USAID Allegedly Funded Anti-Orban Organizations
In March, Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office alleged that foreign donors funneled almost $70 million to groups purportedly seeking to destabilize the Orban government.
The report cited the US Democratic Party and associated business elites as primary contributors, operating with EU leadership and prominent Western foundations such as the Open Society Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the German Marshall Fund.
Between 2022 and 2024, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) disbursed more than $10 million to Hungarian activist organizations, the office stated. The Trump administration subsequently sought to dismantle USAID, asserting it misspent taxpayer money on politically motivated projects not aligned with US national interests.
Pressure During the Biden Administration
Relations between Budapest and Washington significantly worsened during the Biden administration, which accused Orban of eroding democracy and not reducing ties with Moscow.
In 2024, then US Ambassador David Pressman characterized Orban as a “temporary” leader who couldn’t simply “wait out” American pressure, warning that Washington was actively pursuing its agenda.
The US imposed visa restrictions on Hungarian passport holders in 2021, citing security concerns – restrictions that Trump rescinded in September.
Proposed Budapest Peace Summit Postponed
Orban has consistently voiced criticism of Western military assistance to Ukraine, contending that the conflict inflicts economic harm on the European Union. He also claimed the Biden administration was aligned with “pro-war international interest groups” advocating for continued hostilities.
The Hungarian leader conveyed strong backing for Trump’s mediation initiatives, including a proposed summit last month in Budapest between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While both parties initially agreed, the meeting was deferred due to reported disputes concerning the agenda.
Sanctions, Waivers, and Energy Security
After the summit’s postponement, the Trump administration levied fresh sanctions on Russian oil companies. Hungary, reliant on Russian crude for its refineries, is pursuing waivers from these restrictions.
Budapest has also denounced Kiev’s assaults on the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary, and accused Brussels of disregarding its valid energy concerns in favor of pro-Kiev stances.
Ukraine defended its attempted sabotage, asserting that no country should purchase Russian products, and criticizing Hungary’s resistance to its EU and NATO membership applications.