The inclusion of Antal Rogán on the sanctions list is a ‘terrible and shameful act’, former US Ambassador to Hungary David Cornstein said in an interview with Hungarian public media. Cornstein was responding to Tuesday’s decision by the US Treasury to place Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Chief of Staff, Antal Rogán, on a sanctions list over allegations of high-level corruption. Under the so-called Magnitsky sanctions, Rogán is barred from entering the United States.
Cornstein criticized the move, noting that even in its final hours, the Democratic administration under President Joe Biden continues to exhibit hostility towards Hungary. ‘Both the Biden administration and the Obama administration have demonstrated hostility towards Hungary, which has not served the interests of either country. In contrast, under the Trump administration, excellent relations were established between the two nations,’ Cornstein highlighted.
The former ambassador expressed his belief that cooperation between the United States and Hungary will once again be close and fruitful if Donald Trump returns to office, as it was during his previous presidency.
In the interview, Cornstein recalled the defence cooperation agreement signed during President Trump’s first tenure, underlining its significance for the security of both nations. The former ambassador voiced his conviction that under Trump’s leadership, bilateral relations would not only flourish but also enter their most successful era.
He also expressed regret over the lack of positive developments in US–Hungarian relations under the current Biden administration and voiced disappointment at the missed opportunities for cooperation.
Watch the full interview below:
As reported by Hungarian Conservative, Bryan Leib, a potential successor to David Pressman as US Ambassador to Hungary, also sharply criticized the Biden administration’s decision. In a post on X, Leib condemned the move as a politically motivated act that undermines the credibility of American diplomacy. He argued that the decision not only targets the Hungarian government but also damages the United States’ diplomatic integrity.
‘This meddling will come to a full stop on 20 January 2025!’ Leib wrote, referencing the anticipated positive changes under Donald Trump’s leadership. He expressed confidence that a Trump administration would transform the strained relations between the two nations into a more cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership.
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