Recently appointed Interim Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Hungary Robert Palladino met on Tuesday with Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar to discuss the future of US–Hungary relations under the second Trump administration. ‘In the future, Hungary and the United States will focus on common interests rather than disagreements,’ Magyar stated after his talks with Palladino.
According to Magyar, Palladino reassured him of his commitment to repairing bilateral relations, which had deteriorated under the previous Democratic administration. He emphasized that Palladino’s approach to Hungarian affairs would be crucial in shaping the relationship going forward.
Palladino shared a post on X about his discussion with Magyar, referencing last week’s meeting between Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where he was also present. ‘Today, I met Deputy FM Levente Magyar to reaffirm the US commitment to ending the war in Ukraine and strengthening defence and energy security cooperation with Hungary,’ the acting head of the embassy stated. He added that he looked forward ‘to building on this strong foundation’.
Palladino also met with American and Hungarian business leaders. ‘The future is bright for economic partnership between our two countries—partnerships that truly drive prosperity for both Americans and Hungarians,’ he stated in a post on X.
As Hungarian Conservative reported, the US Embassy in Budapest announced last week that, starting from 7 March, senior diplomat Robert Palladino would assume leadership as Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim. Palladino has had an extensive career spanning Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Most recently, he served as Deputy Executive Secretary in the Office of the Secretary of State, directly supporting the Secretary as part of the senior management team. He has led overseas missions, including serving as US Consul General to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. During President Trump’s first term, Palladino played a key role in shaping US foreign policy as Chief of Staff to then-Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E Biegun.
However, the identity of David Pressman’s permanent successor remains unclear. Speculation began as early as November 2024, when an anonymous source told Hungarian Conservative that three candidates were in the running. Two of them—Nancy Brinker and David Cornstein—have previously served as US ambassadors to Hungary, while the third, Bryan E Leib, is a newcomer who has gained recognition for his efforts to counter Pressman’s activities over the past two years.
In a post on X, Leib wished Palladino all the best in his new role. ‘We exchanged notes last week, and I suggested that as long as he shows respect to the Hungarian people, government, and their culture, he will be just fine!’ Leib wrote.
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