Hungary calls in US ambassador amid dispute over Biden remarks
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Tensions between Hungary and the United States have escalated recently following allegations made by US President Joe Biden against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
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Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto answers journalists' questions during an interview at the Hungarian Embassy in Paris on May 18, 2021. (AFP)
The Hungarian government rebuffed allegations from US President Joe Biden that Prime Minister Viktor Orban was seeking dictatorship, prompting the summoning of the US ambassador by Hungary.
In recent years, the relationship between the two NATO allied nations has become strained, with the United States frequently expressing criticism of Hungary. This criticism encompasses US concerns regarding Hungary's close ties with Russia, its earlier concerns regarding Sweden's NATO membership bid, and allegations leveled against Hungary regarding a decline in democratic values.
Biden alleged on Friday that Orban "stated flatly he doesn't think democracy works and is looking for dictatorship."
He addressed a campaign gathering while former US President and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump hosted the Hungarian leader at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Hungary called in the US ambassador following the remark.
"We are not obliged to tolerate such lies from anyone, even if that person happens to be the president of the United States of America," Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said during a press conference.
"We asked the ambassador to show us the quote, with the place and date, where the prime minister has said what the president of the United States attributed to him. Obviously, no such statement was made, so we could receive no substantive response," he added.
The US Embassy in Budapest verified that Ambassador David Pressman was urgently summoned for a meeting by the foreign ministry on Tuesday.
"Ambassador Pressman always welcomes the opportunity to discuss the state of Hungary's democracy with our ally," an embassy spokesperson said as quoted by AFP.
Trump vowed 'not to give a penny' to Ukraine, Orban says
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said, on Monday, that former US President Donald Trump vowed not to provide financial assistance to Ukraine if elected this fall.
Trump convened with Orban on March 8 at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to discuss several topics of mutual interest concerning Hungary and the US.
"If the Americans do not give weapons and money, and the Europeans follow them, then the war will end. If the Americans do not give money, then the Europeans are not able to finance this war themselves, and then it will end," Orban said.
"Trump is not president now, but his party interferes when the Democrats want to send money to the war. Trump said that if he returns, he will not do this, [he will] not [allocate] a penny. And then this war will end," Orban added in an interview with Hungarian broadcaster M1.
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