US vice president praises Orbán, discusses Ukraine, Iran, energy security

US Vice President J.D. Vance is on a visit to Hungary ahead of the country’s general elections on April 12, emphasising the importance of US-Hungarian relations and expressing confidence in Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s prospects.

Vance indicated that Washington is prepared to cooperate with whichever party wins the elections, but predicted that Orbán would secure another term, Caliber.Az reports per Hungarian media.

Elections in Hungary

Speaking at the joint news conference, Vance also commented on alleged foreign interference, suggesting that Ukrainian intelligence agencies had attempted to influence both U.S. and Hungarian elections. He stressed that the United States supports the sovereignty of both countries.

Moreover, Vance accused “bureaucrats in Brussels” of stymying the Hungarian prime minister, including through “digital censorship” of social media platforms, which has been the subject of complaints from the Trump administration as well.

“I won’t tell the people of Hungary how to vote; I would encourage the bureaucrats in Brussels to do the exact same thing,” he added. 

Orbán, in turn, said his focus remains on domestic elections rather than Brussels, and outlined plans to lift the blockade of the Druzhba oil pipeline if re-elected. He added that Hungary is willing to host negotiations between Moscow and Washington if both parties deem it necessary.

US-Hungarian ties

Vance then speaks about “moral cooperation” between the Trump administration and Orbán’s Hungary as they “stand up for the values of western civilisation.”

He says that cooperation includes “is the defence of Western civilisation,” as he attacks what he claims to be “indoctrination” on gender issues.

He goes on to say it is also “the defence of the idea that we are founded on a certain Christian civilisation and Christian values that animate everything from freedom of speech to rule of law, to respect for minority rights and protection of the vulnerable.”

He suggested that Orbán’s model of governance could serve as an example for Europe, combining prosperity, energy security, and a strategic partnership with the United States.

Orban also told reporters that President Trump had ushered “a golden era” in relations between the United States and Hungary, and he listed key issues — migration, gender ideology, family policy — where the two administrations see eye to eye.

Middle East

Addressing developments in the Middle East, Vance noted that the U.S. has achieved its objectives in the conflict with Iran but called on Tehran to cease weapons production and stop funding terrorism.

“The president’s deadline has been followed by us and everybody else. And he said very clearly, we’re not going to strike energy and infrastructure targets until the Iranians either make a proposal that we can get behind or don’t make a proposal. But he’s given them until Tuesday at 8:00. So I don’t think the news and Kharg Island, is represents a change in strategy or represents any change from the president," he noted. 

He warned that failure to negotiate could lead to serious consequences, emphasising that the United States has the capacity to inflict greater economic losses on Iran than the country can impose on the U.S. or its allies.

He says the US deadline expires in “about 12 hours from now” and “we are going to find out” what’s next then.

Ukraine

Orbán reiterated Hungary’s readiness to host a U.S.-Russia summit on Ukraine if both sides agree, describing Budapest as one of the few viable European venues for such talks. He recalled that previous plans for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump had been postponed indefinitely, following a summit in Anchorage in August 2025.

The vice president’s visit comes as Orbán’s party trails in most public opinion polls, though he enjoys firm backing from the Trump-aligned faction of the U.S. administration. 

By Sabina Mammadli