Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has met US President-elect Donald Trump and tech billionaire-turned-US government official Elon Musk at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Orbán announced on the social media platform X.
Commenting after the meeting on December 9, Orbán declared: “The future has begun.”
According to Musk, the three men had an “interesting discussion”.
USA today. The future has begun! ????
An afternoon in Mar-a-Lago with @realDonaldTrump, @elonmusk and @michaelgwaltz. pic.twitter.com/xYs5q8fqGq— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 9, 2024
It was the second meeting between Orbán and Trump in recent months, following their July discussion on the “possibilities of peace” in Ukraine.
A spokesperson for the Hungarian leader had previously framed these talks as central to Orbán’s diplomatic efforts.
His meeting with Trump in July was part of his “peace trips” to Russia, Ukraine and China using Hungary’s presidency of the European Union as justification, which had annoyed other EU leaders.
Among them, Charles Michel, then-president of the European Council, said in July when he heard of Orbán’s intentions: “The EU rotating presidency has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU. The European Council is clear: Russia is the aggressor, Ukraine is the victim. No discussions about Ukraine can take place without Ukraine.”
Orbán’s latest meeting with Trump could cause further unease in the EU, where concerns exist over Trump’s stance on the war in Ukraine.
In a December 8 interview with US news channel NBC, the president-elect stated that Ukraine may have to prepare for a reduction in US aid, hinting at a potential shift in American foreign policy under his leadership.
Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump also emphasised his intent to push Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin toward a negotiated deal to end the conflict.
Orbán’s visit followed Trump’s joint meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Zelensky in Paris on December 7.
The Macron-hosted meeting was intended to reignite discussions on ending the Ukraine war.
United States, Ukraine, and France. Together on this historic day. Gathered for Notre-Dame. Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security. pic.twitter.com/hEYGEklihT
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 7, 2024
The Orbán and Trump meeting has to many underscored the shifting dynamics in Western diplomatic ties, with the US now having a closer relationship with right-wing governments within the EU such as Italy.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is no longer seen as the bridge between the US and Europe as she was over most of the outgoing US President Joe Biden’s term.
Right-wing voices across Europe have been rallying behind US presidential hopeful Donald Trump, eyeing a transatlantic partnership rooted in shared Conservative values. https://t.co/xwIpLdljOJ
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) November 5, 2024
