🏛️🤝 US and Hungary sign nuclear pact amid Rubio's support for Orbán

Oneliner

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement in Budapest on February 16, 2026. The pact, valued at up to $20 billion, includes plans for Hungary to purchase small modular reactors. Rubio emphasized Orbán's leadership as essential to U.S. interests, pledging support amid potential financial challenges ahead of Hungary's elections on April 12. This visit reflects a strategic alignment with EU-skeptical governments in Central Europe, potentially reshaping U.S.-EU relations.

Key points

• The US and Hungary signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, enhancing energy ties.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Orbán's leadership as vital to US interests.
• Rubio's visit comes ahead of Hungary's closely contested elections on April 12.
• The US pledged support for Orbán amid potential financial challenges ahead of the elections.

Links

• Tagesschau (ARD): US-Außenminister Rubio wird in Ungarn erwartet
• Associated Press: Rubio meets Orbán in Budapest as US and Hungary are to sign a civilian nuclear pact
• Europa Press: EEUU asegura que ayudará a Orbán ante posibles "dificultades financieras" o "amenazas a la estabilidad"
• El Mundo: Marco Rubio eleva a Viktor Orban a activo "esencial" de Estados Unidos en Europa
• Europa Press: EEUU asegura que ayudará a Orbán ante posibles "dificultades financieras" o "amenazas a la estabilidad"
• wydarzenia.interia.pl: Spotkanie Orbana i Rubio, w tle poparcie od Trumpa. "Zrobił najwięcej"
• Politico: ‘Golden age’: Rubio praises Orbán ahead of Hungary election
• Tagesschau (ARD): US-Außenminister Rubio sichert Orbán Unterstützung zu

Facts

• The civilian nuclear cooperation agreement is valued at up to $20 billion.
• Hungary plans to purchase small modular reactors and establish a nuclear fuel deal with Westinghouse.
• Orbán's Fidesz party faces a significant challenge in the April 12 elections.
• Rubio described the current U.S.-Hungary relationship as a 'golden age.'

Quotes

• Your success is our success — Marco Rubio
• A new golden age has begun in the relationship between the United States and Hungary — Viktor Orbán

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