Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Trump and Orban exchange praise during Mar-a-Lago meeting

“He’s a fantastic leader,” Trump said about the Hungarian Prime Minister, who has urged the West to cut off financing for Ukraine
Orban Trump
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (left) and US Presidential candidate Donald Trump during a meeting in Mar-a-Lago on 8 March 2024. Photo: Orban’s twitter
Trump and Orban exchange praise during Mar-a-Lago meeting

Former US President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban exchanged praise during a meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Friday, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The meeting happens amid European worries that US aid for Ukraine would dwindle with a Trump presidency as Orban stymies EU efforts to supply military aid for Ukraine.

Trump called Orban a “fantastic leader” and joked about criticism of the Hungarian premier’s illiberal tendencies, stating, “He’s the boss. No – he’s a great leader, fantastic leader,” Bloomberg reported.

The meeting, which included a tour of Trump’s residence, dinner with former First Lady Melania Trump, and an hour-long discussion with senior aides, took place just a day after President Joe Biden accused Trump and Republicans of turning their backs on democratic ideals by blocking additional assistance for Ukraine.

Biden directly criticized the planned get-together at a political rally in Philadelphia, saying Orban “doesn’t think democracy works” and was “looking for dictatorship.”

Orban, who has urged the West to cut off financing for Ukraine as the quickest way to force Kyiv to negotiate a cease-fire with Russia, posted a video on Facebook after the meeting, stating, “let’s be honest, it would be best for the world and for Hungary if Donald Trump returned to the presidency.”

The Hungarian leader’s visit to Mar-a-Lago is seen as an attempt to shed his black-sheep image and position himself as a potential bridge between Europe and the US, should Trump win the November election. Bloomberg reports that Orban’s government has cultivated ties with Trump allies for years, hosting satellite Conservative Political Action Conferences and right-wing influencers.

The meeting has raised concerns among European leaders, who are already worried about Ukraine’s ability to maintain its war effort without more US assistance and are bracing for Trump’s possible return to power. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who is expected to meet Biden at the White House on Tuesday, told reporters in Bucharest, “We all want peace, but nobody decent would agree to the peace on the conditions set out by Moscow and Putin.”

Related: 

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts