Hungary’s New Government Keeps Trump Ties While Reorienting Foreign Policy

After an April election that unseated long-time right-wing populist Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister Péter Magyar has launched a broad policy remodel aimed at curbing corruption, liberalising state institutions and restoring Hungary’s standing in the European Union (EU) and NATO. Despite these reforms, the new administration has signaled that its relationship with the United States—particularly the legacy of former President Donald Trump—will remain a priority, according to Foreign Minister Anita Orbán, who spoke on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

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Orbán described the bilateral partnership as “solid” and emphasized shared conservative, pro-faith values. On NATO, Orbán noted that Hungary already exceeds the alliance’s 2 percent defense-budget baseline and urged European allies to assume a larger share of territorial defence, echoing U.S. calls for burden-sharing. While the Magyar government has taken a firmer stance against the Kremlin—expelling ten Russian diplomats earlier this month and condemning “Russian activities alarming toward Europe”—Orbán stressed that diplomatic channels with Russia must stay open because Russia remains a key energy supplier. She framed these moves as protecting Hungary’s national interest without abandoning its traditional alliances.

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• Hungary’s defence spending surpasses NATO’s 2 percent of gross domestic product target (as stated by Orbán).

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• Ten Russian diplomats were expelled in the current month (as reported by Orbán).

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Maintaining a “solid” U.S. partnership while re-engaging with the EU and NATO positions Hungary as a bridge between Washington’s expectations and European security concerns. The government’s tougher rhetoric on Russia, combined with continued energy dependence, highlights a nuanced balancing act that could influence NATO cohesion and EU-Hungary relations in the post-Orbán era.

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• “The relationship between the two countries is solid,” — Anita Orbán, former prime minister

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• “In terms of values, we are aligned in quite many things," Anita Orbán said.” — Anita Orbán, former prime minister

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• “We will be strongly defending all borders and fences," Anita Orbán added.” — Anita Orbán, former prime minister

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• “We fully respect, of course, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and we do find the Russian activities alarming toward Europe," Anita Orbán said.” — Anita Orbán, former prime minister

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• “Russia remains a supplier of energy to Hungary and remains an important regional player," Anita Orbán said.” — Anita Orbán, former prime minister

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