U.S. Support Does Not Guarantee Orbán's Electoral Strength, Diplomat Says

In his remarks, Veselovskyi highlighted two crucial factors that must be considered regarding Orbán's chances in the upcoming elections. Firstly, he pointed out the overall decline in Orbán's support within Hungary compared to previous elections. Secondly, he noted that the United States has significantly lost its credibility on the global stage.

Veselovskyi further elaborated on how the ongoing war that the U.S. is waging against Iran shapes a complex perception of American policy among Hungarians. He emphasized that this could affect the attitudes of Hungarian citizens towards the United States, as many may begin to question U.S. intentions and policies.

The diplomat stressed that it is not a matter of Iran being a 'good' partner, as its policies pose threats not only to its neighbors but to the entire world due to its ambitions to develop nuclear weapons. “This is not up for debate; it's self-evident. However, achieving a good goal through bad means is unacceptable for anyone, and this is precisely what the United States is currently doing,” he stated.

Veselovskyi expressed doubts that Vice President Vance's visit could not only fail to assist Orbán but might even have the opposite effect. Hungarians may perceive that Trump sent an emissary to 'rescue' their leader, which could lead to distrust.

When asked why Trump chose the Vice President for this visit, the diplomat recalled that the U.S. Secretary of State visited Hungary in mid-February, following the Munich Security Conference. This indicates that the Trump administration is actively working to strengthen its ties with the Hungarian government.

Veselovskyi noted that Trump is utilizing “every possible arsenal” to support Orbán. This includes backing loyal media that portray Orbán as a “unique figure and a true fighter for American-style democracy,” as well as visits from high-ranking officials like Marco Rubio and JD Vance. The diplomat also suggested that under different circumstances, Trump might have personally visited Budapest.

Veselovskyi agreed with the notion that U.S. support for Viktor Orbán is a deliberate attempt to deepen divisions within Europe. He underscored that by solidifying its position, Washington could weaken the EU through exacerbating internal contradictions and supporting individual leaders or countries that oppose a unified stance. This opens new opportunities for the U.S. in the market.

However, the diplomat also emphasized that such logic is flawed, as the primary global competitor of the U.S. is China, not the EU. The economies of Europe and America are interconnected, and they are not systemic rivals. He dismissed the assumption that Trump is intentionally seeking to strengthen Russia by dividing Europe, noting that this is more of a side effect.

“But in the mind of the current president, there seems to be an unclear notion that a weak Europe is a positive for Washington. This is absolutely misguided,” Veselovskyi concluded.

As reported by Ukrinform, U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Budapest to support Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's election campaign ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12, which could threaten his 16-year hold on power.

Photo: Government of Hungary

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