US Ambassador to Hungary on Budapest's Dependence on Moscow and Beijing

Photo: David Pressman

NATO ambassadors and defense attachés in the Hungarian capital met at the US Embassy on Wednesday, October 30, to discuss the Hungarian government's declared policy of “economic neutrality,” including Budapest's relations with Russia and China.

The embassy announced the meeting, Reuters reports.

It took place a day before Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto speaks at a security conference in Minsk, which is also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is seeking to attract Chinese electric vehicle and battery factories to Hungary, says his country, which is a member of NATO and the EU, does not want to be limited by membership in either bloc and intends to continue trading with Russia and China, as it does with its Western partners.

Orban, whose government maintains close ties with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine, said Budapest would adhere to a strategy of “economic neutrality.”

The U.S. Embassy in Hungary said the meeting on Wednesday discussed the implications of this security policy and that Ambassador David Pressman again criticized the Hungarian government's ties to Russia and China.

“Hungary's recently announced policy of economic 'neutrality' and its (Hungary's) growing reliance on Moscow and Beijing have implications for U.S. security and Euro-Atlantic interests,” Pressman's statement emphasized.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga