US President Donald Trump wished “good luck” to his long-time ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in his election campaign, in a letter that Orbán posted today on his Facebook page. In his letter, Trump praised Orbán’s “bold leadership,” which he said serves as an example for the rest of the world. The American president expressed his anticipation for “strengthening cooperation” between the two leaders in defense, energy, and illegal immigration. “You have always been unwavering in defending your values that make Hungary such an amazing place–faith, family, and national sovereignty,” Trump wrote in the letter dated December 10.
The Trump-Orbán meeting & Russian energy
The two leaders met at the White House on November 7, where Orbán received from Trump an annual, temporary exemption from US sanctions on Russian energy imports, thus avoiding a price surge that would severely impact Hungary’s economy, as the Hungarian prime minister has stated.
Orbán faces perhaps the greatest challenge of his 16-year tenure from a combination of economic stagnation, rising cost of living, and a child abuse scandal in state juvenile detention centers, which has strengthened his opposition rival whose party leads in the polls.
Elections will likely be held in April. In November, the two leaders also discussed various forms of economic aid, although last month Trump rejected Orbán’s claim that Washington had already agreed to extend economic assistance to Hungary worth $20 billion.
Trump’s letter and “thank you” to Orbán
In a press conference on Monday, Orbán said that Hungary has not managed to secure the kind of economic support it initially sought from Washington, but that talks continue for a possible safety net.
In his letter, Trump also thanked Orbán for the invitation to visit Hungary and said his team would “be in touch” regarding his schedule. On Monday, Orbán stated that a visit by a “high-ranking” American official is being considered ahead of the elections.
