In front of pro-Putin NATO rebel, Trump shocks Europe on withdrawal of US troops from ally nations

At the White House, President Donald Trump lauded Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as a “great leader” for his tough immigration stance, arguing that Hungary’s strict border policy keeps crime low—unlike much of Europe, which he said is struggling due to uncontrolled migration. Orban, in turn, called for a US-Hungary “golden age,” praised the return of visa-free travel, and declared his willingness to manage Hungary’s EU disputes independently. On sanctions, Trump signaled a one-year exemption for Hungary on Russian oil purchases, citing the country’s landlocked status, even as he criticized European governments for buying Russian oil despite having access to alternatives. Both leaders discussed ongoing friendship and resistance to EU and NATO pressure, while US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured that troop movements in Romania were coordinated and did not signal a weakening of US support for Europe and NATO.