U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks at the Munich Security Conference, where he praised the colonial period as a phase of the West's 'expansion,' have further escalated concerns among European leaders regarding U.S. commitment to transatlantic unity. His comments, which many view as a political endorsement of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, suggest that U.S.-Hungarian relations have entered a 'golden age' that Rubio claims will persist as long as Orbán remains in power. This endorsement comes at a critical time as Orbán faces a challenging electoral battle in April, prompting alarm among EU leaders about the implications of U.S. foreign policy in Europe (The Guardian, February 17, 2026; The Hindu, February 18, 2026).