US Chargé d'Affaires: This is a new chapter in US-Hungarian relations

“Together, we have opened a new chapter in US-Hungarian relations,” Robert Palladino, Chargé d'Affaires of the United States said at the embassy's Independence Day celebration on Wednesday evening, according to Hvg.hu. According to Palladino, President Donald Trump's return to the White House has brought new energy and clarity to American foreign policy. He stated:

"From now on, the United States will engage with our Hungarian allies the way true partners should: privately, respectfully, and constructively. No more public scoldings. No more moralizing from podiums. That era is over."

Echoing the Hungarian government's message, he continued: "We believe in diplomacy grounded in dignity. And we believe in values that transcend politics or geography—values shared by both our peoples: faith, family, nation, and freedom."

“We greatly appreciate your presence here, we greatly appreciate your friendship, and we greatly appreciate your fantastic work so far,” replied Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who attended the event.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who was present at the event responded by saying that "We appreciate you being here, we appreciate your courage, and we appreciate the fantastic work you have already done". He added that Hungarians are proud to be allies of America and remarked that just like the Americans, the Hungarian people have also fought for their freedom.

Szijjártó also said that he was proud that the government could participate in establishing the firm foundations of a new golden era in US-Hungarian relations. He said it was refreshing that the era of lecturing, accusations and stigmatization in the two countries' relationship was over. He believes that Trump's presidency has made the world safer, “new wars have become shorter, and old wars seem to be running out of steam.”

According to Hvg.hu, the event was also attended by Interior Minister Sándor Pintér, Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Péter Polt, President of the Constitutional Court, Zs. András Varga, President of the Curia, and even István Tiborcz, the son-in-law of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Ágoston Sámuel Mráz, director of the Nézőpont Institute, a think-tank with close ties to the Hungarian government.

The US Embassy announced on 4 March that Robert Palladino would be taking over from David Pressman, who had been appointed by the previous, Democratic administration.

Pressman had many disputes with the Hungarian government, so his departure and the arrival of the new chargé d'affaires was a positive development for the Orbán government. Since his arrival, Palladino has promised several times that he would not interfere in Hungarian politics, but has offered his assistance in ensuring that Hungary isn't left at the mercy of the Russians when it comes to its energy supply.