U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance praises Viktor Orbán, highlights energy cooperation and urges diplomacy on Ukraine

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on the visit to Budapest on May 12 lauded Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s role in strengthening U.S.–Hungary ties and said the two countries would deepen cooperation on energy, manufacturing and technology while pursuing diplomacy to end the Russia–Ukraine war.

"Viktor Orbán has been the single most profound leader in Europe on the question of energy security," Vance said, arguing Hungary’s approach has moderated energy-price spikes and could serve as a model for other European governments. He also framed the partnership as part of what he called the defense of "Western civilization," saying economic and moral cooperation bind the two countries.

Orbán, speaking in Hungarian and summarized at the event, credited recent growth in bilateral economic activity, saying the two countries had increased trade turnover by about 50 percent and that some 30 American companies announced foreign direct investment totaling roughly 100 billion Hungarian forints. He warned Europe faces "one of the worst energy crisis of all times" and said stronger U.S.–Hungary energy ties are essential to shield Hungarian consumers from price shocks.

Both leaders emphasized diplomacy as the route to end the conflict in Ukraine. Vance said sustained negotiations and engagement—rather than public chest-beating—offer a way to stop the fighting. "You do it through sustained diplomacy," he told reporters.

Reporters pressed both leaders on claims of election interference. Vance said some elements of Ukrainian intelligence had at times attempted to influence elections and treated Hungary as an "operational zone," a contention he presented as part of a broader point that foreign actors sometimes try to influence foreign votes. Orbán likewise told reporters he has experienced foreign security-service interference in Hungarian elections and welcomed U.S. actions that cut off financial channels he said supported such interference.

The session concluded with both leaders reiterating availability to pursue peace talks: Orbán said Budapest had been discussed as a possible venue for a U.S.–Russia summit and that Hungary had engaged in technical preparations with both sides; Vance said the United States would continue to press diplomatic channels to reach a negotiated settlement.

The vice president also addressed Hungary’s upcoming election, saying the United States will work with whomever Hungarians elect while expressing confidence in Orbán’s re-election prospects. The press conference closed without any formal U.S. commitments beyond ongoing diplomatic and economic cooperation.