Rubio meets Orbán in Budapest as US and Hungary are to sign a civilian nuclear pact

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest to meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and sign a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement. This agreement, which involves the purchase of small modular reactors and spent fuel storage, was heralded by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has publicly endorsed Orbán, who faces a challenging reelection bid on April 12th. Rubio's visit to Hungary follows his stops in Slovakia and the Munich Security Conference, as he works to strengthen energy agreements in Central Europe. Hungary, led by Orbán, has maintained ties with Russia despite the EU's efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy. Many in the MAGA movement and conservative circles view Hungary as a model of conservative nationalism. Orbán's government has implemented strict anti-immigration policies and has been criticized for its stance on LGBTQ+ rights and democratic institutions. The details of the civilian nuclear deal include Hungary's intention to support the construction of up to 10 SMRs and a nuclear fuel deal with Westinghouse. This visit and endorsement are seen as an effort to boost Orbán's chances in the upcoming election.