On February 16, 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Budapest and met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, explicitly endorsing Orbán's reelection campaign ahead of April 12 parliamentary elections. During a joint press conference, Rubio stated "President Trump is deeply committed to your success, because your success is our success" and described U.S.-Hungary relations as entering a "golden era" conditional on Orbán's continued leadership.
Rubio and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement that includes potential purchases of U.S. small modular reactors, U.S.-supplied nuclear fuel, and spent fuel storage technology. The agreement aims to diversify Hungary's nuclear supply chain, which has historically relied on Russian technology and fuel. Hungary currently operates four Russian-made reactors at the Paks nuclear plant that generate nearly half the country's electricity.
The visit followed Rubio's stops in Slovakia and the Munich Security Conference. Orbán currently trails opposition leader Peter Magyar in most polls. Magyar, a former Fidesz party member, is running on an anti-corruption platform. Hungary has received exemptions from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy following Orbán's November 2025 White House meeting with Trump. Orbán offered Hungary as a venue for peace talks between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine.
