David Pressman, the ambassador of the United States in Budapest, held a Rubik's cube competition and a reception at the ambassador's residence on March 25, 2024, reports 444. He said that he is a big fan of the Rubik's cube and that he thinks the magic cube is an apt metaphor for the United States and on the difficulties of overcoming the challenges arising in Hungary's relationship.

According to the ambassador

"compared to the almost infinite complexity of the Rubik's cube, the difficulties arising in the relationship between the United States and Hungary can be solved. 

A solution can be found, and even a quick solution can be found, if there is the political will to do so."

He emphasized: the United States has already decided that a "more recognizable relationship" with the government of Hungary, "improving a relationship is not a choice that a government can make alone" . They remind me: in his speech on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Hungary's accession to NATO

Among other things, Pressman said: the United States is a supporter of dialogue and cooperation, but this often does not work with the current Hungarian government, and then the USA acts because that is all the Orbáns understand. 

According to 444, Pressman implied that they had reached a point where dialogue was no longer enough.

He spoke about how "the Hungarian state makes life difficult" for example for American soldiers at the Papal Air Base: "By violating our defense cooperation agreement,

the Hungarian government has not allowed these young soldiers to get license plates on their family cars for more than three years,

 instead, it forces them to pay tens of thousands of forints per month out of their own pocket for temporary registration. Not because of bureaucracy or overly complicated administrative procedures. But simply because the Hungarian government made a political decision about it. Yes, they heard you right. I'm talking about license plates."

(Speaking of the suction, Mandiner well in a previous article that it would be good if the United States would return our double taxation agreement, which was canceled as pressure on the issue of the global minimum tax, nicely back fifteen months after Hungary voted for the global minimum tax. Orbán Viktor is one of those leaders who does not believe in the beautiful great power habit of asymmetric tying, according to which a country has more right to tying with another because it is bigger. , obviously Hungary wouldn't refuse things from the United States without any reason, causing tens of thousands of damages per month.)

According to Pressman, all of this illustrates the current, worrying state of relations between Hungary and its allies - even though "it wasn't always like this. And it doesn't have to stay that way." They experience, he said then, that

Hungary "behaves differently than any other member of the alliance",

that "an old friend and ally says and does things that undermine trust and friendship."

Pressman also lamented the "anti-American outbursts, the pro-Russian foreign policy, the impossibility of the independent media, the political campaigns against judges and civilians" by Hungarian politicians. According to him, the Hungarian government is not interested in constructive dialogue to solve the above problems.

"We cooperate with other allied countries, we work together - even if we have disagreements. This does not work in Hungary

– until we act,” he said.

Source: Mandarin

Cover photo: David Pressman, the ambassador of the United States (Photo: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák)