US Vice President Vance praises Hungary, urges freedom from external pressure

US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday said both he and President Donald Trump admire the country’s stance on sovereignty and national identity.

Speaking at an event dedicated to Hungarian-American friendship, Vance said he was “inspired” by what Hungary stands for, highlighting its commitment to freedom and independence.

“I am here for a simple reason - because I am inspired by what you are fighting for. You are fighting for your freedom, your sovereignty,” Vance said, adding that the US administration stands alongside Hungary and wishes it success.

He noted that Hungary had drawn global attention in recent years, particularly for its policies during key moments in Europe. Vance referenced 2016, when Hungary resisted broader European migration trends and praised the country’s response to regional conflict, saying it had shown both humanitarian support and a focus on national interests.

Vance also stressed that Hungary’s future should be determined solely by its own citizens, without interference from external actors.

“We want you to decide your future without pressure from outside forces telling you what to do,” he said, adding that he was not instructing voters how to vote but encouraging them not to be influenced by “Brussels bureaucrats.”

The Vice President contrasted his position with what he described as threats from some European officials, insisting that Hungary has the right to make sovereign decisions without fear of losing funding.

Vance concluded by warning of shared challenges facing both the United States and Hungary, including what he described as the growing influence of “ultra-left ideologies” across universities, media and institutions on both sides of the Atlantic.