BUDAPEST - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced hope Monday that renewed American engagement with Hungary's Viktor Orban would help steer the increasingly authoritarian leader away from Russian and Chinese influence. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) is welcomed in Budapest by Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter SzijjartoBut Hungary's foreign minister retorted that Budapest was tired of the West's "enormous hypocrisy". Pompeo held talks with Orban on a one-day visit to Budapest, the first leg of a Central European tour. Pompeo later told Orban's government that he would be upfront about concerns with Hungary and voiced worries about inroads of influence by both Russian President Vladimir Putin and China. After Hungary, Pompeo will proceed to Slovakia, another NATO ally that has seen few recent senior US visitors.

Source: Bangkok Post February 11, 2019 19:07 UTC