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Five Republican senators criticize Orban for friendship with Russia and China

US lawmakers have expressed worry about Hungary’s diplomatic course, citing closer relations with Russia and China as key issues.
byMaria Tril
05/10/2024
2 minute read
isw hungarian pm orbán appears augmenting russian info ops victor president vladimir putin moscow 5 july 2024 ria novosti orban meets
Hungarian PM Victor Orbán and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, 5 July 2024. Photo: RIA Novosti.
Five Republican senators criticize Orban for friendship with Russia and China

A delegation of five Republican US senators expressed concern over Hungary’s growing ties with Russia and China following a visit to the country, the US Ambassador to Hungary, David Pressman, said on 5 October.

Senators Jerry Moran, John Boozman, Susan Collins, John Cornyn, and John Hoeven were part of the delegation that visited Hungary.

“Our delegation and many of our colleagues in Congress are increasingly concerned by Hungary’s deepening and expanding relationship with Russia and the continued erosion of its democratic institutions,” said delegation leader Jerry Moran, according to the embassy.

Moran said that Budapest also ignores signals of concern from allies regarding Hungary’s deepening cooperation with China.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban maintained a notably pro-Russian stance since the invasion of Ukraine began. While Hungary has accepted Ukrainian refugees and formally condemned the invasion, Orban has consistently opposed sanctions against Russia and blocked military aid to Ukraine through Hungarian territory, citing concerns about “Hungary’s economic interests and energy security.”

Orban has been strengthening Hungary’s economic and diplomatic ties with Russia and China. With Russia, Hungary has maintained energy deals, including expanding the Paks nuclear power plant.

With China, Orban has embraced the Belt and Road Initiative and allowed Huawei to establish a major logistics center in Hungary. These moves have raised concerns about Hungary’s alignment with NATO and EU interests.

However, the senators called for closer cooperation between the US and Hungary, saying, “It is in our mutual interest for our countries to work closely together. We urge Hungary to heed and respond to the warnings of allies.”

The report notes that former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump recently spoke favorably about Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Orban has long openly supported Trump, which has repeatedly caused “critical reactions from the US embassy.”. After the July NATO summit in Washington, Orban met with Trump at his Florida villa and said he discussed his “peace mission” regarding Ukraine with the former president.

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